Ambition seduces. Power corrupts.|Sep. 24, 2011|United States|101 Min.|R
Genre: Drama
Description: The Ides of March, released in 2011, is a political drama that follows Stephen Meyers, a junior campaign manager for Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris. Morris is competing against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman in the Democratic presidential primary. Both campaigns aim to secure the endorsement of Senator Franklin Thompson, who controls 356 delegates, a crucial number that could decide the nomination. The story unfolds in Cincinnati, where Meyers is based.
One day, Meyers receives a call from Tom Duffy, Pullman’s campaign manager, who requests a secret meeting at a local bar. Despite not informing his boss, Paul Zara, Meyers agrees to meet. During the meeting, Duffy offers Meyers a position in Pullman’s campaign, which Meyers declines. Later, when Zara calls back, Meyers chooses not to disclose the encounter.
Meyers becomes romantically involved with Molly Stearns, a campaign intern whose father chairs the Democratic National Committee. Meanwhile, Meyers discovers that Duffy plans to offer Thompson the role of Secretary of State in exchange for his endorsement. Meyers and Zara urge Morris to make a similar offer, but Morris refuses, insisting on running a campaign free from such compromises.
A shocking revelation occurs when Meyers mistakenly picks up Molly’s phone and discovers she has been contacted by Morris. He learns that Molly and Morris had a brief affair weeks earlier, resulting in her pregnancy. Molly, needing funds for an abortion, turns to Meyers for help. He provides the money but insists she keep the matter confidential and subsequently fires her from the campaign to avoid further complications.
The film explores themes of political ambition, morality, and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of power.
Cast director: George Clooney
Cast actor: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Max Minghella, Jennifer Ehle, Gregory Itzin
Original name: The Ides of March