Inside the dark heart of politics

The Ides of March (M)
Starring: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood
HOW much evil is permissible in the quest to do good?
It’s a question at the heart of politics, and at the heart of this slick, stylish political thriller, “The Ides of March”.
Ironically, this American pot-boiler debuted in Australia on Thursday, a day in which the usual political shenanigans were going on in Canberra, with a mini palace coup of our own.
George Clooney directs and stars, and the irony for the telegenic actor often touted as a US presidential candidate is laid on thick.
Clooney plays an Obama-esque Democrat governor, complete with the lofty rhetoric, who is closing in on the final primary win expected to take him to the White House.
Interestingly, the film focuses not on the centre stage, but on the dirty doings in the dark backrooms that are the oil greasing the wheels of politics.
Ryan Gosling, as the fixer-in-chief, brings a weird energy to the role.
But his starry-eyed enthusiasm for the candidate is soon lost as the squeaky-clean governor’s feet of clay are exposed.
Gosling’s character is forced to point out the hard-learnt lesson that an American president can start a war or two, or bankrupt the nation, but can’t ever seek horizontal refreshment with an intern.
The scene in which Gosling confronts Clooney, and the governor’s political ruthlessness is exposed, is a classic.
The final parts of the equation are provided by Evan Rachel Wood as the female leg of the love triangle, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a world-weary Democrat campaign manager.
Paul Giamatti plays to type as a rat-like fellow fixer, and Marisa Tomei a journalist.
The end result is a well-made, enjoyable film for political junkies that will hold your attention, but leave you sadder for having seen it. – Jason Beck