Once again, George Clooney delivers a solid political film. However, Ryan Gosling, my lover boy ; ) steals the show. The film itself is not a taut political thriller; it is more of a work-a-day guide to political campaigning.
This cast is a solid troupe of Oscar winners and should be winners (I’m talking about you, Paul Giamantti), and all the performances are very solid.
The story is a very basic indictment of the modern political environment; how the system itself is designed to force candidates into dirty politics. They only way to win, in our system, is to cheat, seems to be the message Clooney is sending us.
Gosling is wonderful as usual as a seasoned media consultant, who’s slight cynicism has been eclipsed by his enthusiasm for his candidate, whom he views as the real thing; a presidential candidate who really cares about the good of the country and is willing to stand up for what is right. Gosling’s character really believes in what he is doing and is excited and optimistic about the future of the country. That part is a bit derivative of the inspiration generated by Obama’s hope campaign. The not too subtle allusions to Obama are everywhere, beginning with Clooney’s campaign poster straight from Obama’s graphic artist.
Gosling is drawn into a series of situations in which he tries to do the right thing, as he is slowly disillusioned by his candidate’s true behavior. From there he is blocked at every turn and this leads him to act in desperation, becoming what he thought he was avoiding. In the end he is willing to do all the wrong things to get his candidate into office, in the hope that Clooney will still do the right thing, despite his feet of clay.
Perhaps the most fantastical element of the story is Clooney’s character; a presidential candidate running, and winning with a platform based on education, no dependence on oil, freedom of choice and a refusal to kowtow to the religious right. Oh how I wish it were true!
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