The Ides of March Directed by: George Clooney Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: October 7, 2011

TRAILER SCORE: 9/10

Thoughts by TSR: It must be nice being George Clooney. He’s handsome, charming, and most of all, talented. There was a time when I wouldn’t only have nice things to say (*cough*Batman&Robin*cough*), but those days are far behind us. Clooney the actor has been consistently solid since those dark days, and Clooney the director is not far behind. Sure, Leatherheads was a bit of a misfire, but I like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and Good Night, and Good Luck is one of my favorites of 2005. It’s been six years since that film was released and it appears Clooney could be returning to that level with his latest, The Ides of March.

Even if it only featured a slightly above average cast, I’d still likely be interested on the premise alone. Instead, we are treated to a lineup that’s sure to be one of the finest ensembles of the year. Ryan Gosling leads as a man who finds himself in the middle of a messy presidential campaign. He’s quickly become one of my favorite actors, and he looks to be in top form once again. Running down the rest of the cast it reads like a who’s who of the most talented actors currently working. Philip Seymour Hoffman stands out as Gosling’s boss, but Paul Giamatti and Clooney both look great as well. I’m also looking forward to seeing more of Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood, the latter providing a small chuckle while helping tie Gosling’s tie.

It’s not just the cast that looks impressive. The dialogue is sharp and there are a few striking images on display. One that stood out was Gosling and Hoffman silhouetted in front of a backwards American flag. Top to bottom the trailer is impressive and only further locks in The Ides of March as one of my most anticipated films of the year. Much of the perceived awards fare is still unseen, but I think we could be hearing a lot from this one throughout awards season. That kind of talk may be a little premature, but all of the elements are there, and this trailer presents a smart political thriller that could stake its claim as one of the best films of 2011.