The George Clooney directed "The Ides Of March" sets a jaundiced eye over the political landscape a landscape that hasn't changed much since the days when Julius Caesar was getting stabbed in the back -thus the title I assume
In the days before an Ohio primary to be the Democratic Presidential candidate, Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) is in a race for delegates and not willing to compromise to get them. Meanwhile Stephen Myers (Paul Gosling), Morris's idealistic press secretary, is about to get a lesson in politics, when he discovers an intern has slept with the govern. As somebody else notes, the one thing you absolutely can't do.
Here is my biggest problem with the movie: it doesn't make sense. A Presidential hopeful might well sleep with an intern but not an intern whose father is head of the DNC. Why would he do that? With all the pretty things around, who would do that? Also, if the primary is all about one mans delegates, does anybody believe for a moment that they'd be any prevarication in giving the man what he wants. It's an idea plot and for no reason
Myers meets with the opposing candidate's campaign manager, who tries to steal him. When Steve tells his own manager about the meeting, Steve is fired. Meanwhile, Steve is sleeping with an intern (Evan Rachel Woods, looking like a young Bridgette Fonda) and discovers she has slept with the Governor.
This is a crisp, political thriller slash procedural which moves briskly to its denouement,; the acting is excellent, Gosling with yet another star making turn and Clooney all charm and dark shadings. But it is not believable and suffers accordingly.
Musically, not much going on: a marching band over the opening credits; a couple of jazz numbers during a scene and a Bar… "We'll meet again" and "Angel Eyes" with a close up of the vocalist as he sings "Excuse me while I disappear" in a nice piece of foreshadowing.
Movie: B+
Music: B-