Writer/Director: George Clooney
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Ryan Gosling and Paul Giamatti
‘A Powerful Political Masterpiece’
Not many actors have built a legacy which is as bright as Jeffrey Wright. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Wright has become a beloved African-American icon. Whether it is successful authors, police commissioners or technology inventors, Wright has played many strong characters. Arguably, Wright’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured his heart and soul in each and every role. Wright has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing characters that aren’t often likeable. Through his abilities to portray commemorated characters audiences can easily relate to, Wright has become an actor that audiences value. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, Wright has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Wright has made many unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Wright and love all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Ides of March” is definitely my favourite. Following its release in 2011, George Clooney’s film has stood a test of time as a political masterpiece. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best political dramas ever made. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Jeffrey Wright, who portrays a politician which seeks success in a tense election. Ultimately, what makes “The Ides of March” a celebrated masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most political movies which are targeted towards a limited audience, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about dangers of political scandals which will resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about a scandal, there are many reasons why “The Ides of March” is a commemorated movie worth seeing.
“The Ides of March” tells a story of a political scandal that has consequences. Ryan Gosling portrays Stephen Meyers, an ambitious press man that seeks success in a political election. Stephen is hoping to get his boss Mike Morris (George Clooney) elected in a tense election. However, Stephen’s dream of political success is threatened by rivals that cause disaster. The arrivals of a rival politician Thompson (Jeffrey Wright) throws Stephen’s dreams into tragedy. Facing a painful political scandal, Stephen is forced to question whether his big dreams of success are possible. The shocking discovery of a sexual scandal threatens to destroy Mike’s chances of becoming the governor of the city. As he faces a tense dilemma, Stephen begins to wonder whether it is truly possible any more for his assistant governor to be successful in America.
George Clooney is a newcomer towards the themes of politics. Before he directed “The Ides of March”, Clooney had never made a movie about political figures in his career. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tensions of politicians facing scandals which cause catastrophe, but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Clooney captures tensions faced by a politician experiencing a scandal causing catastrophe. Clooney deftly uses handheld camera capturing the tensions that politicians facing scandals are enduring. For instance, handheld camera elevates the political scandal scene. During this memorable scene, Stephen becomes aware that he is in a shocking scandal which caused despair. One admires handheld camerawork capturing the tensions that politicians are facing. Handheld cinematography is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale” suggested, shaky cinematography enhances Bond films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Clooney captures the hardships which politicians are facing.
Another astonishing aspect of “The Ides of March” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Clooney expertly uses real-life political offices in America to capture the tensions faced by mayors. For instance, the political offices elevate the election scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mike has his first election in an elaborate party that causes tension. One appreciates the real-life locales capturing the tensions which political leaders are facing. Political offices are tricky to use in movies. As Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” claimed clearly, political offices elevate movies about legendary butlers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that politicians bear. Through bold production, Clooney captures politicians preparing for an election.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Ides of March” is a captivating political film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture tensions faced by politicians experiencing a tense scandal. Clooney’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture tensions experienced by politicians in elections through silence. For instance, silence enhanced the affair discovery scene. During this memorable scene, Stephen is shocked when he discovers evidence that the governor is having an affair with a young intern. One appreciates silence following politicians facing a tense experience. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Matt Reeves’ “Batman” demonstrated silence elevates comic-book movies. Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” demonstrated that silence elevates movies about black writers. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Clooney captures the tensions endured by commemorated politicians experiencing a price to pay.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
Jeffrey Wright delivers one of his finest career performances as Senator Thompson. Wright first achieved appreciation for playing black poets in literature adaptations. With “The Ides of March”, however, he took on his most tough role. It isn’t easy to portray a politician facing a shocking scandal but Wright succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him: tense, charismatic and emotional in his most realistic role. Wright has often had an aptitude playing anxious characters under pressure, and “The Ides of March” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentments of a political leader facing tension. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated African across working today.
Ryan Gosling is remarkable as an idealistic staffer thar becomes involved in a political scalds which is terrifying. Gosling has often excelled at playing anxious characters that experience dilemmas under pressure, and “The aides of March” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. Whether he’s flirting with a female coworker he finds inspiring or discovering scandals of extramarital affairs that are shocking, Gosling uses his charisma to create a politician that’s compelling. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also deserving of recognition. George Clooney is captivating, bringing a sense of authority to a governor that becomes victim of a sex scandal causing catastrophe. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is phenomenal, capturing the dedication of a political staffer struggling to resolve a scandal causing tension. Lastly, Evan Rachel Wood merits appreciation. As a woman that faces a tense scandal, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Ides of March” will definitely earn appreciation of everyone for capturing tension faced by politicians. Unlike most movies about politics, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, racism and scandals which definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with American politics to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding the danger of politics which would strike chord with everyone. Therefore, “The Ides of March” is one of those rare films about politics which everyone would adore.
Fans of Jeffrey Wright will definitely appreciate “The Ides of March” and so will movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A riveting political drama, it honours an actor with great charisma.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking political film about idealistic staffers seeking to resolve scandals involving extramarital affairs that are shocking, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built an enduring legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters with larger-than-life personalities in captivating movies which are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 