Review
By Kaylin Kennedy
I admit I was hopeful when I saw The Ides of March was coming out. The title itself was enough to titillate my interest.
After all, I had read Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and enjoyed that, so I expected the same from this movie.
Similar themes were introduced to the story, such as underhanded politics and betrayal – an overused topic, but one that could have had great potential.
Note the fact that I said, “could have.”
The story follows an idealistic junior campaign manager named Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gossling), who is introduced to the darker side of politics throughout the plot.
He foolishly believes in his candidate, Mike Morris, played by George Clooney, but when he finds out that his hero is less than pure, he feels betrayed and hurt.
So he strikes back, eventually blackmailing Morris.
The acting is good, and the cinematography is interesting and well done. I just personally found the movie boring overall.
There is no emotional connection developed between the audience and the characters, and only when we see the main character lose his job does he even seem relatable.
It was as if I had walked into that theater, spent nearly two hours staring at a blank screen and then walked out.
It was as if the movie itself didn’t care, so why should I?. There is more emotion when Morris gives one of his speeches than when one of the characters is found dead.
The overall movie is dull and uneventful.
If you’re a big George Clooney fan or you’re in need of a two-hour nap, then maybe this movie is for you.
If not, I’d just avoid The Ides of March altogether.
Originally published: Thursday, October 20, 2011
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