This Week at the Movies

George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know, but its story is told with style and great performances.

The picture does not take aim at any particular political party or figure – although, a plot twist in the story certainly bears similarity to a recent presidential candidate – but rather critiques a system in which loyalty is bought and politicians sacrifice values to increase their electability.

In the film, Ryan Gosling plays Stephen Myers, a high profile staffer to Mike Morris (George Clooney), a Pennsylvania governor who is among the last two standing in a Democratic primary for the presidential race.

Myers exerts a cool exterior and is seen as the smooth talking mouthpiece for Morris’s operation, which is run by terse campaign manager Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Morris’s opponent is an Arkansas senator who centers the debate on matters of religion. His campaign is run by the shrewd Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), who hopes to draw Myers to the opposite team.

Other significant players in the film include a New York Times reporter (Marisa Tomei) who is covering the election and an intern (Evan Rachel Wood) who becomes romantically involved with Myers. Jeffrey Wright is a senator whose vote cannot be bought, but who is willing to accept a cabinet position.

Clooney is a great director of actors. Gosling continues to prove that he is a true talent and it is around his character’s conflicted conscious that the film revolves. Myers is an idealist and vows to back the candidate in whom he truly believes. But the political system challenges him and he is forced to consider whether his career or his ideals are more important.

Both Hoffman and Giamatti provide terrific supporting roles as the dueling campaign managers. The actors deliver two of the film’s finest monologues on the soul crushing nature of the election process.

And Clooney, who could have phoned in his relatively smaller role, gives us a glimpse of his character while still retaining the necessary façade of a high profile political candidate. 

For my money, Clooney’s best directorial effort is still “Good Night and Good Luck.” His latest picture is not exactly an expose because much of what takes place in the film is what increasingly jaded viewers and voters would expect from our system of electing politicians.  

But “The Ides of March” is skillfully executed, well written and a showcase for some of Hollywood’s finest actors. It’s a job well done.

Andrew Haigh’s low budget indie film “Weekend” is another example of a film that makes the most of familiar territory.

Its scenario is similar to Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” films in that its story revolves primarily around the conversation between two people who have recently met and are excited to be getting to know one another.

Russell (Tom Cullen), a London lifeguard in his 20s, is openly gay, but appears more comfortable keeping his love life to himself among his mostly straight friends.

At a bar one night, he meets Glen (Chris New), an occasionally abrasive artist who has recently split up with a long-time boyfriend, and the two end up at Russell’s apartment. Glen asks Russell if he can tape record their conversations for an art project.

Much of the film is a chamber drama that revolves around the duo’s conversations on everything from relationships, gay marriage (Russell is in favor, but Glen is not), art, work and sexuality.

It takes about 30 minutes to become immersed in the picture, mostly due to some early scenes that contain mumbled dialogue. Character development takes place primarily through conversation. We get to know Russell and Glen through their words, not actions.

The film might embrace time-honored themes, but its methods are unconventional. “Weekend” is well worth checking out.