Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 19, 2011 ‘The Ides of March’ features sparkling dialogue by Dennis Seuling “The Ides of March” is set during the Ohio Democratic presidential primary. One of the major contenders is Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney), a handsome, intelligent career politician who can field questions with an ease reminiscent of John F. Kennedy. His campaign manager, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is assisted by Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), who tends to the details of the campaign, such as microphone sound levels, the height of teleprompters, and finding negative details to put out there about rival candidates, whether they’re true or not. Stephen is an idealist who believes that Morris is different from all the other candidates he has worked with in the past because he can make a difference to the country. As director, Clooney takes viewers behind the scenes to see how polls really do matter, deals are made with less-than-ideal people, the media can be friend or enemy, depending on the story, and there is no such thing as a personal life for candidates. The script, by Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willmon, is based on Willmon’s play “Farragut North.” It is one of the best screenplays of the year in that its characters are well crafted and believable. It’s no stretch to imagine Clooney as a politician, since he has always been active and vocal about human rights causes. Hoffman’s campaign manager is a chain-smoking bear of a guy who has been in campaigns, both winning and losing, for a long time and values the George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Ryan Gosling in ‘The Ides of March.’ loyalty of his campaign staff above all else. He is a pragmatist and will not inflate expectations, knowing that much of the movie and conveys self-assurance, cynicism, a campaign can be undermined by unexpected revelations, or pragmatism as required. Stephen is a crafty person, less a misplaced phrase at a press conference, or an unflatter- transparent than his boss, Zara. Though both men are on ing news story. He is clearly at the helm, ready to take the the same side, their methods and priorities differ, leadcampaign wherever he has to, no matter whose heads are ing to conflict. Stephen is perhaps too independent, as he sacrificed in the process. sometimes fails to see the total picture of his actions and Gosling’s Stephen is the central character in “The Ides of campaign decisions. This is his tragic flaw. March,” despite Clooney’s more radiant star. He shoulders (continued on Crossword page)