A measured, well-acted ensemble piece based on screenwriter Beau Willimon’s 2008 play, Farragut North, The Ides of March is a commendable fourth feature from director/co-writer George Clooney, providing a thoughtful, dramatically compelling piece of political cinema that served as a solid rebound after Leatherheads’ underwhelming rollout.
The Ides of March was a robust return from Clooney.
While it’s arguably Clooney’s most cynical moviemaking effort, his cool, commendable filmmaking serves this bitter story well.
While its commentary isn’t as blisteringly profound as Clooney might hope as a director or screenwriter, the craftsmanship on hand here certainly makes up for its familiar and heavy-handed talking points.