The Ides of March comes out tomorrow starring George Clooney and I insist that all good political junkies go and see it. Click here for Ides of March movie times. George Clooney is in it and that’s worth my $12.00. This isn’t some odd man-crush thing, but when he’s into a film Clooney can make almost any subject interesting. Don’t believe me? Rent Up in the Air and tell me that’s not amazing acting. The Ides of March is the first real political thriller about elections (as opposed to terrorism or evil corporations) Hollywood has put out in a long time. So we should all go out and support this film or be left with the Good Wife and the Killing as the only political shows on television that don’t insult your intelligence.
In celebration of its release, Nerve.com lists 5 of the nastiest political films about elections ever made. I agree with some of the list: Primary Colors is a very good movie, The Candidate was slow but interesting from a historical perspective and Reese Witherspoon in Election is one of the best movies ever made about politics, high-school and adult life in general. However, there are a couple of movies I would add to their list a little known movie from the 90’s called Race starring CCH Pounder and Paul Rodriguez about a fictional city council election in post-Rodney King/post-riot Los Angeles. If you’re looking for nasty cynical take on elections you can’t pass up Bob Roberts, one of the best movies Tim Robbins ever made. Chris Rock’s Head of State is over the top but not as crazy as you think on second viewing.
It will be interesting to see how the chattering class chooses to interpret the Ides of March. Will it be criticism of President Obama or the Republican slate? Stay tuned.
This article originally appeared on Politic365.com.
