Flick of The Day: The Ides of March

The political thriller is very much a phenomenon of the 1970's when films like All The Presidents Men, The Parallax View and The Candidate took advantage of the cinema going public's cynicism and lack of public trust in the wake of the Watergate scandal. For the first time, people began to question the character of their political figures with a degree of circumspection. This kind of introspective and downhearted view of America gradually disappeared during the Reagan era, when the enemy was no longer within but in the left wing ideology of films like Salvador and a former flick of the day, The Killing Fields. Today's flick of the day, The Ides of March, then is very much a throwback to a different era from its stark opening credits to its dark hearted ending, and all the better for it.

The Ides of March

George Clooney makes a welcome return to form as a director after 2008's misbegotten Leatherheads with this extremely well acted old school thriller. The cast is stellar, Clooney himself is the idealized Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Morris on the cusp of victory in the primaries. His campaign is guided by the hard bitten campaigner Paul, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and the idealistic Stephen Myers, played by current Hollywood golden boy Ryan Gosling, most recently seen in Drive. Together they are engaged in a bitter war with the opposing strategist played by the ever reliable Paul Giamatti. A great ensemble cast but this is very much Gosling's movie. He holds the screen in a manner that at once confirms him as an actor of note, if his previous performances in Blue Valentine and Lars and The Real Girl were not enough.  Stephen is approached by Giamatti to switch sides in the final days of campaigning for the Ohio primary and neglects to tell his boss Paul about it. He soon finds himself on the outside looking in but not before discovering a dark secret involving a staffer played by Evan Rachel Wood with tragic consequences that could derail Mike Morris's campaign.

Adapted from a play called Farragut North by Beau Willimon, this film's theatrical origins are evident from early on with some long dialogue heavy scenes. This is no bad thing though for it allows the actors to really put some meat on the bones of their characters, something so often missing from modern thrillers. Gosling gives a very powerful performance as an idealistic young man, a true believer who sees his innocence completely dispelled. The best scenes are the one on ones between Gosling and each of the other leads. A tension filled scene in a Hotel room between Gosling and Hoffman, a look behind the curtain of idealism between Giamatti and Gosling and finally a dark late night game of verbal chicken between Clooney and Gosling. Each scene gives the sense that Clooney deliberately built the film around his actors, giving them the opportunity to show off their considerable talents. 

Ultimately though this is a drama, and a downbeat one at that. By the end, everyone including the audience is stripped of their innocence and the films ends quietly and ambiguously. Indeed, at the screening I attended nobody moved as the credits began to roll which I have always taken as a sign of a film hitting its dramatic targets. 

Tom Duffy: Get out, now. Or otherwise... 

Stephen Meyers: Otherwise, I'll end up like you? 

Tom Duffy: Yeah, you end up being a jaded, cynical asshole, just like me.

It could be argued the film is deeply cynical about the American election system though my personal view is that it is if anything more realistic than one would care to imagine. A fine drama, backed up by a superb male cast who make the best of their roles and Clooney deserves credit for having the gumption to cast himself as the slickly packaged candidate, a role so perfect for him that  you could easily see it ruined by casting somebody else. A fine film and well worth your time.

Flick of The Day: That Thing You Do!

Actors who turn their hand to directing can be a bit at of a mixed bag. Some actors seem to be born to it and produce masterpieces their first time out such as Charles Laughton's magnificently eerie The Night Of The Hunter. Others like Robert De Niro have been less successful, anyone who saw The Good Shepherd can attest to that. I am happy then to report that Tom Hank's turn behind the camera is a successful one. Today's film is That Thing You Do!

That Thing You Do! - Tom Hank's Extended Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Set during the Summer of 1964, Hank's effort tells the tale of a band from a small town in Pennsylvania, The Wonders and their brief brush with fame. After their original drummer breaks his arm, the band ask local bohemian jazz man Guy Patterson, to step in and play the drums at a local talent contest. Guy inadvertently adds an up-tempo beat to their otherwise turgid ballad, creating a hit song and they are soon picked up by talent impresario Mr White, an eminently likeable Tom Hanks. They begin to tour the country, playing state fairs as their fame grows and the song gradually moves up the national charts. The apex of their fame comes with an appearance on national television, a scene which apes The Beatles famous performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. It all begins to fall apart for them thereafter, and the break-up is as interesting as the coming together.

The band members are all very likeable and well cast. Johnathon Schaech is Jimmy, the egotistical musical "genius". The always lovely Liv Tyler is his devoted girlfriend Faye. Steve Zahn, so often irritating is the lead guitarist who spends his time chasing every women in sight. Hanks captures the character of the svengali manager so well, managing the band with the seem discipline that Brian Epstein might have applied to The Beatles. The film is bright and upbeat and seems to capture the spirit of the early 1960's with pastel colours everywhere. A time when the Vietnam War had yet to take hold on the nation's consciousness and the music was bright shiny and adored by legions of young screaming girls. There is something endearing about this period and even if the story didn't live up to its setting, this would still be compelling viewing. It is a delight then to report that this is a good yarn. Hank's has managed to craft characters that are both likeable and interesting. It helps that the music feels right on the money. Their one hit wonder, That Thing You Do! is a peppy catchy number that will stick with you after the end of the film.

The film ends well, tying up any loose ends and leaving you satisfied that you have had a brief glimpse into a time and place that is now very much in the past. All in all, a fine debut from Hanks and I look forward to his next film as a director, Larry Crowne, set to be released this Summer. The film captures the era well and a compelling tale that will keep you engaged till the credits roll. Throw in some catchy tunes and you have an enjoyable light-hearted film.