For March, the movie of the month is...The Ides of March. I feel that this film is very underrated, it was actually one of my favorite movies in 2011 and it even ended up in my top 5 of 2011. I think Good Night and Good Luck is a fine film, but I found The Ides of March to be easily the most entertaining movie that was directed by George Clooney, though I won't deny that it seems to be mostly Clooney's vanity project that allowed him to preach his ideals without actually running for any public position. I remember a lot of critics complaining that the film didn't show anything new and that it didn't have anything original to say. While this may be true it's really difficult to come up with something fresh when so many things have been already shown in cinema.
I myself enjoy the good story and entertaining film no matter how many times I've seen something similar before. Especially if the movie has a great cast. The Ides of March is certainly a fine example of that - Clooney, in addition to directing, cast himself in a supporting role, we also get to see such well known and talented actors as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei and Jeffrey Wright. But the one performance that proves to be the most memorable is Ryan Gosling in a lead role.
While Gosling created many great performances such as the ones in Lars and the Real Girl and Blue Valentine, this here is my favorite performance of his. Much like Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton he elevated his character beyond the script and created a very complex work. If the film deserved any nominations whatsoever, it would be that one.
Cool trivia: Some of Governor Mike Morris's campaign posters are inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic "Hope" poster, used during Barack Obama's campaign in 2008. The AP photograph that Fairey used in "Hope" was taken at a 2006 press conference in which then Sen. Obama shared a stage with fellow Senator Sam Brownback and George Clooney, who had just returned from Sudan. Indeed, the image in the "Hope" poster is of Obama listening to Clooney speak.
Review of the film - HERE
PREVIOUS MOVIES OF THE MONTH:
Definitely one of 2011's finest films. Gosling rocked ass in that film as he got a great cast to work with. Plus, I think this is Clooney's best work as a director so far though I haven't seen Good Night and Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you liked this one too! GNaGL is a good film but I always found to be a bit overrated.
DeleteI absolutely loves this movie. It moves so quickly and is wound so tight, it's brilliant. Gosling's so charmingly ruthless, too. I love it.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, your post is beautiful. Fantastic, Sati.
Thank you! I didn't know you liked this one too, Gosling was amazing here, he had such rage in his eyes.
DeleteThough I'm not a huge fan of the cast (yes I'm the last woman who's not fallen under Gosling's spell), I quite enjoyed this. It's not great but certainly had some memorable parts.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I actually don't find him this hot either :) He is good looking and talented, but he just looks like a boy, I prefer those guys who look like proper men :)
DeleteFINALLY!!! I'm so glad you're with me, Sati. I thought I'm the only girl who doesn't find Gosling attractive in the least bit. I've seen him in a few movies and some interviews and I just can't fathom the fascination. You're right, he's too boyish and he's got that constant smug look on his face that I find repulsive. I do like manly men...preferably w/ a deep voice, hence Richard Armitage :D Oh, and David Gandy (the ONLY model I actually bothered to find out his name!)
DeleteI normally don't like that smug look either, but it is just a secondary flaw for me here, mostly it's just that he looks like he would freaking break any time - he is so skinny. When I was watching Drive I couldn't believe this blonde boy is actually so badass, but that's thanks to Gosling's undeniable acting talent.
DeleteOh Richard is really handsome, I'm actually looking into the stuff he has done, I think I'll start with Spooks - I saw few hot gifsets on tumblr :P
Just re-watched this a little go back and found it to be everything that I remembered from last time: well-written, perfectly-acted, and okay with it's direction. I wasn't too happy with where the story decided to focus it's attention on, but that was fine for me after awhile, once this cast started to work their magic the only way they know how to. Good review Sati.
ReplyDeleteThanks, glad you liked the movie too!
DeleteI agree that it doesn't need to be a whole new thing to be a good movie. Even if we've seen this topic a million times, it can always be done differently - in a new style, perspective etc - and The Ides of March did that, at least for me. It's not very memorable, but I recall that it was quite compelling to watch. And what a cast, indeed!
ReplyDeleteClooney really must be as charming as he seems since he is always getting such talents to appear in his movies. The cast for the new one, Monuments Men, is just unbeliavable.
DeleteI love this film! It has a fine cast and a great script, but I'm also a big fan of Alexandre Desplat's overlooked score. Awesome choice!
ReplyDeleteOh Desplat's score was great, very memorable and it fit the movie very well.
DeleteIf the film makers can create a well crafted film that engages me but doesn't necessarily give me something new, I don't care. So many films in the past have done the story we've seen in Ides of March but it's so poorly executed. I loved Ides just because it was ... tight. Excellent script and brilliant performances. Great choice, Sati!
ReplyDeleteI agree - I think when you have story revolving around politics there should be a lot of tension and capable actors playing the roles. Thanks! :)
DeleteI really did like the performances, my only problem was that it offered nothing new in regards to politics on film. Tis a shame Gosling got nominated for nothing that year.
ReplyDeleteYeah he had such a great year in 2011!
DeleteAnother good pick. This was one of my Top 10 movies of 2011.
ReplyDeleteSame here, I think it either was or was very close to my top 5.
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