Sharp, concentrated, and deeply cynical; Clooney’s new film captures the dirty realm of politics and explores the loss of integrity within modern government.
Pivoting on an internal democratic election, Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is central to the plot, acting as a young hotshot aide to Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney). As the film develops, Meyers falls victim to fraudulent aspects of back-door politics, resulting in a scandal threatening the careers and status of all.
Clooney is, as always, charming and carries the role of a politician with ease. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, playing campaign manager Paul Zara, is similarly superb. But while the ridiculously good-looking Ryan Gosling effortlessly oozes charisma and wit in the early stages of the film, he appears thin and outshone as the grit of politics develops.
Nevertheless, in its entirety, the depiction of dirty politics within a single party effectively detracts from motifs of ideology and commendably gives strong reflection to the disloyalty so often found in modern day politics.