The Ides of March (2011)

Politics is dirty. That’s the big lesson in The Ides of March, and it’s not exactly breaking news. George Clooney’s campaign drama is sleek, smart and beautifully acted, and its message would still fit on a bumper sticker. Ryan Gosling plays Stephen, the young press secretary who truly believes in his candidate, and watching that belief freeze over is the whole movie. He’s very good at the slow chill. The real fireworks come from the veterans. Philip Seymour Hoffman, rumpled and furious about loyalty, and Paul Giamatti, grinning like a guy who already won, are so good you wish they shared more scenes. Marisa Tomei’s reporter adds a dry sting. At 101 minutes it’s tight, but the plot hinges on a turn that feels more convenient than shocking. It made $76.3 million worldwide on a reported $12.5M. A 6.7 because the acting is top shelf and the cynicism is familiar. $48.05 says the next time a coworker invites you for a quiet coffee, you assume it’s a trap.

What works: Hoffman, Giamatti and Gosling are outstanding, and the backroom conversations crackle with tension.

What doesn’t: Its central lesson that politics corrupts is familiar, and the key plot turn feels more convenient than earned.

Who it’s for: People who love political dramas full of whispered phone calls and loyalty tests.