The Ides of March

With his 2011 directorial effort, The Ides of March, based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon, George Clooney aims to skewer modern-day politics, but instead offers drama so didactic and ham-fisted that it elicits more groans than gasps. Savvy strategist Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling) isn't afraid to play political hardball when he joins the presidential campaign of Democratic governor Mike Morris (Clooney on cruise control). But when a shocking decision comes to light, Myers' world—and worldview—is thrown into spin. Early on, Myers is told, "You exude something. You draw people in…and you make it look effortless." The same could be said of Gosling, who often elevates mediocre material to something striking. Yet the charm of Gosling and Clooney combined cannot bring life to—much less save—this predictable and plot-hole-ridden parable burdened by claustrophobic cinematography and a strident orchestral score. Powerhouse performers Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti are expectedly engaging as rival campaign managers, but Gosling struggles with disappointingly on-the-nose dialogue, frequently offering blank stares as vacuous as his love interest, a sultry intern played by the overrated Evan Rachel Wood. For a film about choices, you'd think The Ides of March would have made more interesting ones.