An idealistic junior campaign manager believes he is currently working for a politician who is the real deal and will truly make a difference. But is anyone truly insusceptible to the corruption that comes with power? 

Leading into the Ohio State Primary the stakes could not be higher. Whomever wins will take the Democratic nomination to run for President and Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) believes that if his boss, Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) wins, then he could truly change the lives of everyone in America. 

Stephen is working for an experienced, but jaded campaign manager in Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Battling against a wily opposing campaign manager in Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti). Fencing with New York Times Journalist Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei). And courting young intern Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood). 

But whilst spinning the media and controlling the message comes as second nature to Stephen he never accounted for those he trusted the most letting him down. Can Stephen keep his morals in the face of what befalls him? 

Based on a play called “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon and adapted by George Clooney and Grant Heslov this film is probably the high point of Clooney’s directorial career to date. It features the sort of script actors can really get their teeth into as they duel with each other as characters who believe themselves to be the smartest in the room. The only thing that kept coming to mind was that Aaron Sorkin, the writer of greats such as The West Wing, The Social Network and The Newsroom would have made this script soar. 

The Ides Of March themselves reference the assassination of Julius Caesar and the beginning of the downfall of the Roman Republic. One should “beware the ides of March”. Both of these things are true here, as it is Tomei’s Ida who tells Stephen that every politician will let you down eventually and figuratively it is Stephen’s idealism that will have their foundations rocked. 

The end result is a superb, tight political thriller with an array of fantastic performances. Every actor gets their chance to chew the scenery whilst Clooney knows that Gosling will deliver a final wordless close up that shows the impact of events on Stephen’s face.