The Ides of March

Review by Sean Lynch

Does it get any better than pitting two of our current generations best actors against each other?

On one side, the modern day veteran, Gen X Carey Grant, funny, charming and handsome : George Clooney. In the other corner, Gen Y's answer, the brooding Ryan Gossling.

While this is more than enough of a selling point for the wives watching Grey's Anatomy week in, week out - the good news is there is more than just good looks on offer here. Yes, there is in fact some damn fine acting. And quite a lot of it.

An idealistic staffer (Gossling) for a newbie presidential candidate (Clooney) gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.

There are twists and turns, scandal and sex. In a world where the fog of the tricks played in politics has been well and truly lifted, The Ides Of March doesn't exactly offer up anything new. 

Thanks to The Daily Show and The Chaser, we now know how transparent a system it is, little more than expensive marketing exercises.

So what makes The Ides Of March stand alone, what sets it apart from Wags The Dog? Simple : Acting.

Gossling and Clooney are in amazing form here, these are two dudes at the peak of their form in the craft. A scene towards the end of the film inside of a kitchen is a perfect example of this. 

Clooney displays a deft hand of directing, giving this scene little more than the occasional cut back and forth from a close up of the respective actors' faces. It's glorious to experience.

A must watch.

DVD Special Features

• Commentary with George Clooney and Grant Heslov

• Believe: George Clooney

• On The Campaign: The Cast of The Ides Of March

Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras: 75%