The Ides of March (2011)

Presidential fitness

Is there anything Ryan Gosling can't do? Romantic comedy ladies man, strong and silent action star, and now a take-no-prisoners political campaign manager. And this is only what he's done in 2011! On the other hand,  George Clooney, pulling quadruple duty as director, a writer, producer, and a Senator looking for a presidential nomination in the film, just keeps finding ways to impress me as a film maker. He continues to make beautiful and complicated films that are equal parts artistic and entertaining. Ok, maybe "Leatherheads" isn't all that complicated, but it's still pretty damn funny. The political backstabbing and shady dealing at the heart of the script is great, and the cast is bursting at the seams with great performers, all worthy of taking home little statues with their names on them.

Grade: A

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, George Clooney
Director: George Clooney
Writer(s): George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon - Play: Beau Willimon
RT: 101 min
Rating: R for pervasive language