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Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei ... see more see more... , Evan Rachel Wood , Jeffrey Wright , Max Minghella , Jennifer Ehle , Gregory Itzin , Michael Mantell , Yuriy Sardarov , Bella Ivory , Maya Sayre , Danny Mooney , John Manfredi , Robert Mervak , Fabio Polanco , Frank Jones, Jr. , Rohn Thomas , Peter Harpen , David McConnell , Mark Stacey White , Lauren Wainwright , Kris Reilly , Michael D. Ellison , Jill Hayley Meyers , Leslie McCurdy , Rob Braun , Rachel Maddow , Chris Matthews , Charlie Rose , Deb Dixon , Neal Anthony Rubin , Loretta Higgins , Joe Dinda , John Repulski , Cherie Bowman

The Ides of March takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in... read more read more... a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency. -- (C) Sony Pictures

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73% liked it

49,966 ratings

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85% liked it

210 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: George Clooney

Release Date: October 7, 2011

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DVD Release Date: January 17, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (4,914)

  • katykern8261
    May 22, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed (and co-written) by George Clooney, Cross Creek Pictures, 2011.

    Starring Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Even Rachel Wood and George Clooney.

    Genre: Drama

    Question: Do you ever wonder why politicians are portrayed as bad people? Well, becau... read morese they usually are. Okay, sorry, I am just not a fan of politics or politicians. However, I finished watching The Ides of March a couple of hours ago, down at my local theatre, and it just reaffirmed my lack of desire to follow any political side.

    To be honest, I have never been particularly keen on politics. I grew up with people in my family who never really agreed on a candidate or political party. In turn, I stuck to my independent ways and mostly ignored what most politicians said (or lied about). Even when I lived in Washington, DC during the Clinton years (yes, even through the Monica Lewinsky era) when our country was pretty stable politically, I was never for nor against a particular party....Okay, I've got to stop - one of my rules is that I never discuss politics or religion so I am ending this paragraph right here.

    So, what should I talk about regarding The Ides of March if I can't talk about politics but the movie is a politic drama? Thinking...thinking...okay, got it. How about the acting?

    Well, I did post the preview on this a few months ago because I was happy to see some of my favorite actors in this film: Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ryan Gosling. They were all fantastic! They all played political strategists: the people in control behind the curtain. I mean they all had to play uber smart fellows that had to make you believe whatever they wanted you to believe even though you didn't want to believe it - just like a true political strategist. Spin, spin, spin. I particularly liked Paul Giamatti in this film. He wasn't in it enough for my taste but there is just something about his presence on-screen that screams intelligence.


    I should talk more about the characters or the plot line, but I really want to talk about how much my hometown was represented in this film: Cincinnati, Ohio. The story takes place mostly in Ohio where George Clooney plays the governor of Arkansas running for the democratic primary there. However, nearly the entire movie was shot in Cincinnati and in areas that I knew well, recognized and even went to all the time. It kind of was distracting for me because I knew the areas so well that when certain parts of the city were shown I immediately had a childhood memory, and some were intense memories. (Okay, now I miss those skywalks and, yes, that is where one of the scenes was shot. I know that skywalk well. It's attached to the hotel I stay at when I go back home.) Oh well.
  • Saxia
    May 19, 2012
    Saxia
    I've been looking forward to watching this movie, but it failed to leave a big impression. It's about the ' dirty' in politics, but more could've been done with this I think.
  • fb701560354
    May 18, 2012
    fb701560354
    While George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti give great performances, it's Evan Rachel Wood that stole the show for me. She can change emotions and character so fast, and it's so convincing. The story was not as great as I expected it to be, but ... read moreit did have a fantastic script. The Ides of March doesn't reveal any revelatory truths about politics, it does however show the corruption and the inner workings of an election race. So, if for nothing else, see the Ides of March for the fine acting on display by the whole cast, and for the tight, witty, thoughtful script.
  • spielberg00
    May 4, 2012
    spielberg00
    Performances is the first of many great things this drama has to offer. Aside from the impressive performances by Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Evan Rachel Wood, Ryan Gosling has the main role in this film, as he did in two other films of last year, DRIVE and CRAZY, ... read moreSTUPID, LOVE. Even though the role he had assumed wasnâ(TM)t terribly difficult, Iâ(TM)d have to say he does a fine job, and quite believable, as well. I may be over-analyzing a bit in saying so, but the slang he uses in his dialogue, and the sense of informality he presents, helps his character gain his overall strength. If we had a man who was a straightforward, serious personality, it would be hard to believe him as someone to deal with dirty politics at all. With someone who isnâ(TM)t over the top, but noticeably a bit laid back and sarcastic, itâ(TM)s completely plausible. George Clooney was also great here, but I must mention that I was disappointed with him for various reasons. One, he wasnâ(TM)t nearly as great here as he was in his tour-de-force leading role in last yearâ(TM)s THE DESCENDANTS. But thatâ(TM)s definitely acceptable, because that last role he took on was utterly flawless, so (seeing from an actorâ(TM)s perspective) it would be quite difficult to meet those standards within the same twelve monthsâ(TM) time frame. Two, his character was far too small. Sure, Mike Morris, his character, was mentioned a lot in this film. In fact, he was the filmâ(TM)s pivotal subject. Clooney just didnâ(TM)t get enough screen time. Weâ(TM)re so used to seeing this actor (who in my opinion, is one of the greatest performers still famous in the twenty-first century) in leading roles, or at least major ones. Here, he gets five, maybe ten minutes of time on the screen.

    DO NOT BEWARE MY FULL REVIEW:
    http://themoviefreakblog.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/review-the-ides-of-march
  • jlewis07
    April 23, 2012
    jlewis07
    One of the best movies of 2011. It kept me guessing the whole time as to where exactly the story was going to lead. All of the actors did great jobs and the script was fast and punchy without being in your face about it. The story just keeps you guessing and enthralled from begin... read morening to end. I'm not even really into politics that much (and this movie pretty much sums up why), but I still found it incredibly interesting the whole time.
  • imrealgod
    April 9, 2012
    imrealgod
    Given my comprehension capabilities, I was a bit hesitant to go for this. However, contrary to my fears, the movie wasn't too hard to grasp. But the movie wasn't interesting enough. At best, it's a mediocre political thriller IMO.
  • MrMarakai
    April 2, 2012
    MrMarakai
    The last time George Clooney stepped behind the camera to direct a political drama - with "Good Night And Good Luck" - he delivered a skilful and vivid dramatisation. This time, with a star-studded cast in the line-up, it looks like he just might do it again. Unfortunately, this ... read moredoesn't live up to expectations and ends up, quite a frustrating, indifferent attempt.
    Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) is an idealistic young man, helping Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) in his bid for the Presidency of the United States. However, he gets involved in a relationship with campaign volunteer Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood) and gets caught between rival campaign managers Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), which show him that candidate Morris isn't as squeaky clean as he makes out. Before he knows it, Myers is involved in a dangerous game of sex, betrayal and ambition.
    "The Ides of March" is a (commonly used by Shakespeare) referece to the slaying of Julias Caeser, who was stabbed to death by a group of conspirators, lead by friends, Brutus and Cassius. Using this term as it's title, you would imagine a film about politics will have some double-crossing, on the level that met Caeser, but on this evidence... not quite enough. Right from the get-go we are thrust into a political campaign and the jargon that goes along with it. It takes a little time and patience to keep up with it's constant flow of name dropping and rapid introduction of numerous characters and quite frankly, you'd be forgiven for finding it rather dull. Within the half-hour mark, it threatens to sink under it's own weight. However, once a bit of corruption is thrown into the mix, it steps up a gear and delivers some great dramatic tension. Clooney is a very fine actor but he wisely takes a back seat in the acting stakes, allowing Gosling to be the front runner, with Hoffman and Giamatti biting at his ankles. It's these three, bitterly fighting it out on the campaign, that bring the drama. When Clooney does show face again, it's adds extra spice to an already boiling pot of corruption and double-dealing. But just when the film finds it's feet, it draws to it's conclusion. The performances are all strong by the aforementioned actors but the talented likes of Marisa Tomei and Jeffrey Wright are wasted in thankless roles. Ultimately, the film masquerades as political intrigue but the message that comes across is mainly about the corruption of youth and idealism.
    A brilliantly assembled cast are given some juicy roles and they play them well, but like politics itself, it can be too loaded at times and leaves you feeling dissatisfied.
  • LWOODS04
    March 26, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Mantell

    Director: George Clooney

    Summary: Dirty tricks stand to soil an ambitious young press spokesman's (Ryan Gosl... read moreing) idealism in a cutthroat presidential campaign where "victory" is relative. The film, directed by George Clooney, is inspired by the real-life experiences of an aide who worked on Howard Dean's failed 2004 run.

    My Thoughts: "Another great film done by the impeccable George Clooney. The film gives an interesting look at the behind scenes of a nasty politcal run for presidency. Great performances by all involved. Some of my favorites are in this movie and I couldn't wait to see them all in one film. I am not very political and probably never will be. But the film gives us a great insight of how dirty they play and how swiftly they can clean up any mess. I felt such heartbreak for the young Molly Stearns. Such a tragedy and for it to be swept away really upset me. I wanted him called out and for some type of justice for ruining her. But none is given. Disappointed with that bit, but then I guess that is the whole reason for the film. To show us how dirty the government is and can be. But then we already know that don't we."
  • aliceinpunderland
    March 24, 2012
    aliceinpunderland
    Ryan Gosling enunciates like a champ in this here political thriller. The second-act unravelings are a bit must-happeny though. Why is Stephen so late to pick Molly up from the Big A clinic? Why doesn't he just check his voicemail?
  • fb1463751009
    March 12, 2012
    fb1463751009
    A gripping thriller that manages to deliver the goods through its didactic and sharp script coupled with an outstanding ensemble cast and disciplined direction. In terms of techniques, "Ides of March" seems to get nothing wrong. There's no explosions or outlandishly far-fetched n... read morearrative arcs -- simply a very deceptive and dark tale that unfolds out with an arresting narrative.

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer
October 7, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

At its best, the film is like a political version of Sweet Smell of Success, another movie where the corruption was so rampant it gleamed. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
October 7, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

As for Clooney, when he steps from behind the camera, his candidate exudes an easy, judicious authority. Full Review

Charlie McCollum
October 7, 2011
Charlie McCollum, San Jose Mercury News

This is intelligent filmmaking, and a provocative moral fable. It may not be perfect, but it stands as one of the better, most realistic movies about the way we elect our leaders. Full Review

Christopher Orr
October 7, 2011
Christopher Orr, The Atlantic

From the film's ideological vantage point, moderate Democrats are Machiavellian devils, and Republicans are an inconceivable evil looming on a distant horizon, like the White Walkers in Game of Thrones. Full Review

Tom Long
October 7, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

The Ides of March is a well-made actors showcase and fine film. But it never finds that more. Full Review

William Goss
October 7, 2011
William Goss, Film.com

Just about every other scene in the film is a simple pleasure unto itself between the equally confident writing, direction and performances. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
October 7, 2011
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Smart and solidly entertaining, thanks to one of the year's top ensemble casts working at the top of its game. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
October 7, 2011
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Clooney does a good job opening up the ideas Willimon first explored onstage, but the result is still a pessimistic truth so universally acknowledged that it doesn't bear repeating, however stylishly. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
October 7, 2011
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

It's great fun for us to see an entertaining movie we can watch without guilt. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
October 7, 2011
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Almost a political drama of the caliber of Gore Vidal's "The Best Man," but it's not quite. However, it is the movie to recommend to adults looking for something that's topical and intelligent and tha... Full Review

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Facts

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    • Tom Duffy: The ability to win people's respect, by making them mistake their fear, for love.
    • Stephen Meyers: You broke the only rule in politics. You want to be president? You can start a war, you can lie, you can cheat, you can bankrupt the country... but you cant fuck the interns. They'll get you for that.
    • Stephen Meyers: I'll do or say anything if i believe in it. But i have to believe in the cause.
    • Governor Mike Morris: The society must be better than the individual.
    • Paul Zara Philip: ...and Ida, I am going to go take a shit.
    • Paul Zara Philip: It doesn't matter what you thought. It matters what you did. It matters what you didn't do.
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  • In the alternate 1985, who does Marty discover is going to be murdered on the ides of March in "Back to the Future Part II"?   Answer »
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