# The Ides of March

> 2011 film directed by George Clooney

**Wikidata**: [Q543581](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q543581)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ides_of_March_(2011_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-ides-of-march

## Summary
The Ides of March is a 2011 political drama film directed by George Clooney, based on the play "Farragut North" by Beau Willimon. The film stars Ryan Gosling as a campaign press secretary who becomes embroiled in a political scandal during a presidential primary.

## Key Facts
- Release date: August 31, 2011 (Venice Film Festival), October 7, 2011 (US theatrical), December 22, 2011 (US wide release)
- Director: George Clooney
- Country of origin: United States
- Production companies: Smokehouse Pictures, Appian Way Productions, Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media Group
- Genre: Drama film
- Based on: "Farragut North" by Beau Willimon
- IMDb ID: tt1124035
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84%
- Metacritic score: 67/100
- Runtime: 101 minutes
- Language: English
- Budget: $12.5 million
- Box office: $75.1 million worldwide
- Awards: National Board of Review Top Ten Films (2011)
- Official website: http://www.idesofmarch-movie.com

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Ides of March?**
The film follows Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), a young and idealistic press secretary working for Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) during a heated Democratic presidential primary. When Meyers is offered a job by the opposing campaign and becomes involved with an intern (Evan Rachel Wood), he discovers a scandal that threatens to destroy Morris's campaign and his own career.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers, George Clooney as Governor Mike Morris, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Paul Zara, Paul Giamatti as Tom Duffy, Evan Rachel Wood as Molly Stearns, Marisa Tomei as Ida Horowicz, and Jeffrey Wright as Senator Thompson.

**What awards did The Ides of March receive?**
The Ides of March was named one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 2011. The film received several award nominations including Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director for George Clooney.

**Is The Ides of March based on a true story?**
While the film is not based on a specific true story, it draws inspiration from real political campaigns and the play "Farragut North" by Beau Willimon, who worked on Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign. The film explores realistic political maneuvering and ethical dilemmas faced by campaign staff.

## Why It Matters
The Ides of March matters as a sophisticated political drama that offers a cynical yet realistic portrayal of modern American political campaigns. The film stands out for its intelligent screenplay, stellar ensemble cast, and George Clooney's assured direction, providing insight into the moral compromises and power struggles inherent in political systems. It serves as both entertainment and social commentary, examining themes of idealism versus pragmatism, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power. The film's relevance extends beyond its 2011 release, offering a timeless examination of political ethics that resonates with ongoing discussions about campaign finance, media manipulation, and the personal costs of political ambition.

## Notable For
- Ensemble cast featuring multiple Academy Award winners and nominees
- George Clooney's fourth directorial effort, showcasing his growth as a filmmaker
- Adaptation of Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," which was inspired by real political experiences
- Realistic portrayal of campaign politics and the moral compromises involved
- Critical examination of the American political system and media influence
- Strong performances, particularly from Ryan Gosling in a career-defining role
- Tight, suspenseful screenplay that maintains tension throughout
- Exploration of themes relevant to contemporary political discourse
- Successful box office performance relative to modest budget
- Recognition by the National Board of Review as one of the year's best films

## Body
### Production Background
The Ides of March was produced by Smokehouse Pictures (George Clooney and Grant Heslov's production company), Appian Way Productions (Leonardo DiCaprio's company), Cross Creek Pictures, and Exclusive Media Group. The film was shot primarily in Ohio, with principal photography taking place in Cincinnati and various locations around the state. The production budget was approximately $12.5 million, making it a relatively modest production that achieved significant commercial and critical success.

### Creative Team
George Clooney directed the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, based on Willimon's play "Farragut North." This marked Clooney's fourth directorial effort following Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), and Leatherheads (2008). The film's cinematography was handled by Phedon Papamichael, while the editing was done by Stephen Mirrione, both frequent collaborators with Clooney.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an impressive ensemble cast led by Ryan Gosling as Stephen Meyers, the idealistic press secretary whose moral compass is tested throughout the campaign. George Clooney plays Governor Mike Morris, the charismatic presidential candidate whose campaign hides dark secrets. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Paul Zara, the experienced campaign manager, while Paul Giamatti plays Tom Duffy, his rival from the opposing campaign. Evan Rachel Wood stars as Molly Stearns, the campaign intern whose involvement with Meyers triggers the central conflict. The supporting cast includes Marisa Tomei as journalist Ida Horowicz and Jeffrey Wright as Senator Thompson.

### Plot and Themes
Set during a Democratic presidential primary in Ohio, the film explores the moral compromises and ethical dilemmas faced by political operatives. The story follows Stephen Meyers as he navigates the treacherous waters of campaign politics, discovering that his idealistic beliefs about Governor Morris are challenged by the harsh realities of political maneuvering. The film examines themes of loyalty, betrayal, idealism versus pragmatism, and the corrupting influence of power. It presents a cynical yet realistic view of how political campaigns operate, including backroom deals, media manipulation, and the personal sacrifices required to succeed in politics.

### Critical Reception
The Ides of March received generally positive reviews from critics, holding an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 254 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The critical consensus reads: "It doesn't offer any new insights on politics, but The Ides of March is a well-acted and entertaining political thriller." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 67 out of 100 based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Critics particularly praised the performances of the ensemble cast, with many highlighting Ryan Gosling's nuanced portrayal of the conflicted press secretary.

### Box Office Performance
The film had a strong commercial performance relative to its modest budget. It grossed $40,956,323 in the United States and $34,114,000 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $75,070,323. The film opened in limited release on October 7, 2011, before expanding to wide release on December 22, 2011. Its box office success demonstrated the audience appeal of intelligent political dramas featuring high-profile casts.

### Awards and Recognition
The Ides of March received several award nominations and was named one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 2011. The film received Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director for George Clooney. While it didn't win major awards, the film's recognition by critics' groups and its inclusion in year-end best lists solidified its status as a notable entry in the political thriller genre.

### Distribution and Release
The film premiered at the 68th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2011, before receiving its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2011. It was released in limited theatrical release in the United States on October 7, 2011, by Columbia Pictures, before expanding to wide release on December 22, 2011. The film was later released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 28, 2012.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Ides of March has maintained relevance as a political thriller that captures the cynicism and moral ambiguity of modern campaign politics. The film's exploration of themes such as media manipulation, political compromise, and the personal costs of ambition continues to resonate with audiences, particularly during election seasons. Its realistic portrayal of campaign operations and the ethical dilemmas faced by political operatives has made it a reference point for discussions about political ethics and the nature of modern democracy. The film also represents a significant entry in George Clooney's directorial career, demonstrating his ability to handle complex political material with intelligence and nuance.

## References

1. [AlloCiné](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=131737.html)
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