Clooney takes on politics in "The Ides of March"
- 13 years ago
Self-admitted "political junkie," George Clooney showed up on the red carpet Tuesday night (September 27) in Beverly Hills for the premiere of his new political thriller, "The Ides of March."
In the film, Clooney portrays Governor Mike Morris, a Democratic presidential candidate on a fast track to the White House. It takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign press secretary played by Ryan Gosling finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency.
Clooney explained that while the film is a drama first, politics offered the perfect backdrop to tell the story of good and evil.
SOUNDBITE Actor George Clooney saying (English):
"I don't know whether anyone can do this cleanly. I spent 16 weeks in an office on K street with Republican operatives, Mary Matalin, Michael Deaver and James Carville. I worked with a bunch of them and I saw just how difficult it was for anyone in the political arena, on either side to not have to shake hands with people that made them not feel clean."
Clooney, also added the titles of co-writer and director on the film, joked that he actually likes being the boss.
"The Ides of March" also stars Jeffrey Wright, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti.
The film opens on October 7.
John Russell, Reuters.
In the film, Clooney portrays Governor Mike Morris, a Democratic presidential candidate on a fast track to the White House. It takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign press secretary played by Ryan Gosling finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency.
Clooney explained that while the film is a drama first, politics offered the perfect backdrop to tell the story of good and evil.
SOUNDBITE Actor George Clooney saying (English):
"I don't know whether anyone can do this cleanly. I spent 16 weeks in an office on K street with Republican operatives, Mary Matalin, Michael Deaver and James Carville. I worked with a bunch of them and I saw just how difficult it was for anyone in the political arena, on either side to not have to shake hands with people that made them not feel clean."
Clooney, also added the titles of co-writer and director on the film, joked that he actually likes being the boss.
"The Ides of March" also stars Jeffrey Wright, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti.
The film opens on October 7.
John Russell, Reuters.