Dir. George Clooney, USA , 2011, 101 mins
Cast: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Evan Rachel Wood,
Review by Carol Allen
Clooney, who co-wrote and produced this film as well as acting in it and directing, is not only good looking and a good actor, he has a brain and from his work here and in earlier films such as Goodnight, and Good Luck (2005) appears to have embraced the old style journalistic ethics and principles of his television newscaster father, which he brings to his feature film work.
This is an intelligent and absorbing film, dealing with issues of morality and integrity in the context of a political thriller. It’s totally riveting stuff with the tension relieved when appropriate by wit and humour.
Gosling plays Stephen, high flying aide to would be presidential candidate Governor Mike Morris (Clooney), who is the archetypal Democrat for the 21st century. Agnostic but tolerant of all religions, greener than green, ultra liberal, witty and charming, Morris is a sort of amalgam of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy. Even his wife (Jennifer Ehle) looks uncannily like Hilary Clinton, though rather more submissive in character, it must be said. Unfortunately Morris shares Clinton and Kennedy’s Achilles’ heel – a weakness which presents Stephen with a moral dilemma and challenges both his career and his idealism. Also involved in the drama are Stephen’s boss Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who values loyalty above all virtues and pretty young intern Molly (Rachel Wood) with whom Stephen becomes romantically involved. On the sidelines are Duffy (Paul Giamatti), campaign boss to the rival candidate, who would like to poach Stephen onto his team, and tough New York Times journalist Ida (Marisa Tomei), who’ll use any trick she can to get an exclusive.
Although set in what can seem to a UK audience the somewhat opaque American political system, it is the human drama which is right at the forefront. The characters are strongly drawn and the moral issues and conflicts facing them crystal clear. It’s skilfully written and constructed and the performances are all first class.
Gosling is the centre of the film, hardly ever off the screen and once again he delivers an impeccable and totally convincing performance. Rachel Wood is also excellent as Molly, though she seems a little sophisticated for the character’s supposed age, which is 20 (the actress is 24). But to be fair, young people do seem to grow up more quickly these days. Clooney, in what is a good supporting role, has the appropriate senior gravitas. The character, until we see his feet of clay, is almost too good to be true and the confrontation between him and Stephen, when we get to see the ruthless side of the man, is riveting and dynamite.
This is an impeccable, thought provoking and gripping film for intelligent grown ups.
xx - posted on 23/05/2012 13:13:28
