The Ides of March (2011)

Release Date:  7 October 2011 (USA) Runtime: 101 min
Genre:  Drama

An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon.
Cast overview,  Ryan Gosling, George Clooney , Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti     , Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright , Max Minghella , Jennifer Ehle, Gregory Itzin Michael Mantell , Yuriy Sardarov   

Directed by George Clooney       
Writing credits  George Clooney     , Grant Heslov    & Beau Willimon       
Original Music by Alexandre Desplat       
Cinematography by Phedon Papamichael       
Film Editing by Stephen Mirrione       
Casting by Ellen Chenoweth       
Production Design by Sharon Seymour
Production Co:  Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media Group, Smoke House
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital  | DTS (as Datasat Digital Sound) | SDDS
Filming locations Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Covington, Kentucky, USA, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA, Michigan, USA, Newport, Kentucky, USA, Oxford, Ohio, USA (as Miami University), Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Review       
I'd suggest you see Ides, film buffs; although more of a triple than a home run, the cast is superlative and the direction very fine
Author: Amy Adler from Toledo, Ohio

Stephen (Ryan Gosling) is a razor-sharp, rising star political media consultant. Presently, he is working on Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris' (George Clooney) campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Steve-o has only one man above him, overall campaign manager Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman). The two consult each other daily. The governor has a single chief competitor, an Arkansas senator with his own astute adviser, Tom (Paul Giamatti). At the moment, the Ohio primary is looming and the staff is working out of Cincinnati. One of the governor's lower-level workers is beautiful Molly (Evan Rachel Wood), the daughter of the present head of the National Democratic Party. Only 20, she is just learning the ropes. One day, she makes a pass at Stephen and he responds positively. But, he makes it clear to her that politics is his passion and, especially, Mike Morris, his idol. Indeed, Morris is handsome, smart, and appears to speak sincerely and clearly to potential voters. Yet, very soon after their first encounter, Molly drops a bombshell on Stephen. It is a stunning piece of news, one that could knock the earth off its axis. Also, amazingly, Tom has been courting Stephen to "switch sides" while a respected, determined journalist, Ida (Marisa Tomei) is eager for any and all campaign stories. A cauldron of conflicting genuine and perceived realities is brewing. What will be the result? This is a fine film, based on a stage play, and directed by Mr. Clooney. While the story is more predictable in nature, the script has some great lines and Clooney's direction is quite, quite admirable. This is particularly true of the performances he draws from the cast, with Gosling, Hoffman, Giamatti, Tomei, Clooney himself, and especially Wood giving great turns. All the film's amenities, from sets, costumes, and camera work, are also nice. If you are a discriminating film buff, who loves quality flicks with ample discussion points, then I'd suggest you see Ides at your earliest convenience.

The Ides of March ~ Trailer