The Ides Of March (Blu-ray)

George Clooney's latest starring/directing combo is another quality drama from an actor and director who knows what he wants to do with his films and knows how to make it entertaining at the same time.

Idealistic young campaign worker Stephen (an excellent Ryan Gosling) is working for Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Morris (Clooney) and believes wholly and truly that his man is the best candidate to go ahead to the election. But when information comes into his hands which clouds that belief Stephen will find that optimism and working in politics is a fragile blend.

While the film doesn't necessarily mine original territory in as much as the basic plot progression is not an unfamiliar one from even the actual headlines of history there is an interesting look here at the questions which can emerge when we (as individuals) place our faith and trust in someone and then find that has been dangerously misplaced. And as the character playing that journey Gosling is excellent (as he is most of the time anyway).

He also holds centre stage well amongst a cast of major players such as Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and others. There's also good work by Evan Rachel Wood as one of the few female characters in the film but arguable the most important one.

A very good film but while the Blu-ray quality is just fine, as a non visual effects film there's nothing here except usual clarity to show off on a home system.