The Ides of March

About The Ides of March

"The Ides of March" is a political drama film released in 2011. In the film, an ambitious press secretary works for a promising presidential candidate, but a political scandal threatens to upend their campaign. As the plot unfolds, themes such as loyalty, treachery, and the corrupting influence of power are deeply explored. This political thriller was directed by George Clooney who also co-wrote the screenplay along with Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon.

Making / Production

The film is an adaptation of the play "Farragut North" by Beau Willimon, who himself has worked on Howard Dean's 2004 Democrat campaign. George Clooney, not only stars in the film but also directs it. The production was a collaborative effort between Clooney and Grant Heslov's production company, Smoke House Pictures, and Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way Productions.

Actors

• George Clooney as Governor Mike Morris, a strong presidential candidate who must navigate a political scandal. Clooney's portrayal presents a charismatic but pragmatic politician.
• Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers, a dedicated press secretary who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous political game. Gosling's nuanced performance adds depth to his character's ethical dilemmas.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Paul Zara, the campaign manager who balances loyalty with tactical necessity in the political arena. Hoffman depicts the character's complexities with precision.
• Paul Giamatti as Tom Duffy, who masterfully plays the rival campaign manager orchestrating the scandal. Giamatti delivers a potent depiction of a ruthless political strategist.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's title "The Ides of March" refers to March 15 in the Roman calendar, which was marked by several important religious observances and was also the deadline for settling debts.
• It was originally a stage play titled "Farragut North" which was inspired by author Beau Willimon's experiences with Howard Dean's presidential run in 2004.

Awards

"The Ides of March" was well-received and nominated for several awards. It received a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the 84th Academy Awards. Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film. It also garnered four nominations at the 69th Golden Globe Awards.

Quotes

• "There's only one thing I value in this world, Stephen, and that's loyalty. Without it, you're nothing."- Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman)
• "If you want to be president, you can start a war, you can lie, you can cheat, you can bankrupt the country, but you can't do drugs." - Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling)

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for "The Ides of March" was provided by Alexandre Desplat who creates a tense and atmospheric score to match the film's intense political drama.