The Ides of March

Um jogo de carreiras versus fidelidade num argumento claro e numa direção precisa, criando performances de atores magníficas. Sem motivos secundários e com menos personagens do que estamos habituados de filmes semelhantes, mas com a concentração ainda maior neles. O facto de evocar uma excelente obra da HBO em vez de uma produção cinematográfica ambiciosa é uma desvantagem apenas na medida em que basta vê-la em casa (ao contrário do mais visual e atmosférico Michael Clayton, que era ainda mais um deleite no grande ecrã). (15/02/2012)

An ultra-bitter probe into the inside of the machine in which reality is prepared. The fantastic Gosling, who, even without a single grimace, can contain the fascinating tension between idealism and pragmatism, an excellent script and a wonderfully escalated scathing ending. An overall balanced and anti-idealistic drama that is an excellent counterweight to Hollywood escapism, which dominates Oscar nominations. It is a pity that, especially in the beginning, fairly solid knowledge of the American electoral system is needed (which I do not have at all), so I was groping slightly in the first minutes. But I blame myself for that and not The Ides of March. [85%] (23/01/2012)

I watched The Ides of March twice. I watched it for the second time mainly because I wanted to find out whether this movie was really boring or I just didn’t pay enough attention to it during the first watching. And I must say that even though the story is really interesting, I’m not in the mood to watch something that reminds me of the Czech government, where betrayal and revenge are part of the daily agenda of just about every political party. The actors were indisputably great. Ryan Gosling was amazing, even. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that this politics crap is not my cup of tea. (24/12/2012)

George Clooney has proven many times in his directing endeavors that sophistication is not foreign to him, and a political investigation seemed like a literal treat for him. However, I am disappointed and must admit that I am quite taken aback that no sophistication was present this time. I expected him to dig into the highest-ranking politicians, but for the second half to go through transparent twists towards disillusionment and broken hearts is a step too certain. Allowing the viewer to see into the fastest verbal machine guns and then easing towards morality is simply a lesser betrayal. (04/02/2012)

This is another in Clooney’s series of contributions pointing out the wrongs of contemporary politics. This time he takes the Michael Clayton route, which means perfectly slick suits with a high coefficient of immorality, visual austerity, and audience nausea from all the characters who pass through the film. [PS: Gosling reigns supreme, keep it up.] (05/01/2012)