The Ides of March

The Ides of March (2011)

  • 85% of critics liked it
    (208 reviews)

  • 74% of users liked it
    (45,420 ratings)

The Ides of March takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign press secretary (Ryan Gosling) finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency. -- (C) Sony… More

Play Trailer

R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By
George Clooney
Written By
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Drama
In Theaters
Oct 7, 2011 Wide
On DVD
Jan 17, 2012
Sony Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

    At its best, the film is like a political version of Sweet Smell of Success, another movie where the corruption was so rampant it gleamed.

  • Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

    As for Clooney, when he steps from behind the camera, his candidate exudes an easy, judicious authority.

  • Charlie McCollum, San Jose Mercury News

    This is intelligent filmmaking, and a provocative moral fable. It may not be perfect, but it stands as one of the better, most realistic movies about the way we elect our leaders.

  • Christopher Orr, The Atlantic

    From the film's ideological vantage point, moderate Democrats are Machiavellian devils, and Republicans are an inconceivable evil looming on a distant horizon, like the White Walkers in Game of Thrones.

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    The Ides of March is a well-made actors showcase and fine film. But it never finds that more.

Read all 23 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jameson W


    I really liked this one! Gosling and Clooney are both fantastic...

  • Daniel P


    Powerful and shockingly short tale of the disillusionment one staffer (Ryan Gosling) experiences as he goes from idealist to realist in an effort to help his candidate (George Clooney) secure the presidential nomination. Unfairly snubbed at the Oscars, this is a taut political… More

  • Kalel J


    As a political drama, THE IDES OF MARCH sits firmly in a dual-genre; enforcing itself as a vehicle for ideas and insights into our modern governmental systems, yet also as a form of narrative entertainment. George Clooney's latest directorial endeavour fails and succeeds at these… More

  • Matthew S


    I was expecting insight into modern politics along the level of Aaron Sorkin's political screenplays, but instead we get a solid but basal drama centered around the campaign's own mediocrity, both professionally and morally.

  • Jeff "


    I was very much looking forward to seeing The Ides of March, and though not as great as every mainstream critic has claimed it to be, the film is nonetheless a solid political thriller. George Clooney directs an effective film, and he also gives a great performance. I very much… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

Trailers & Clips