Michael Clayton, where George Clooney is alone with his thoughts in a cab, wondering what he's become.Clooney directed Ides of March after working with Tony Gilroy on Michael Clayton, so I don't think the similarity is an accident. I suspect it's an homage. A risky one, at that.
It works more successfully in Michael Clayton because Michael Clayton is simply a better movie than Ides of March. It's about something, whereas Ides of March is at heart just a thriller, so that self reflective last shot feels inauthentic. And Ryan Gosling -- hottie though he is -- is not yet actor Clooney is and Clooney -- hottie though he is -- is not yet the director Gilroy is.
Still, it was an entertaining movie to rewatch and I enjoy Clooney's career soooo much. The boy ingenue who was a supporting character on The Facts of Life has turned into a movie-making presence. The new Robert Redford. (Not that the original Robert Redford is done. His new movie, The Company You Keep, will be in limited release next month.)
I need to re-watch Ides and Michael Clayton. I hope my George continues to develop his acting and directing skills. I want him to become "the ultimate" that I know he's destined to be.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Michael Clayton. The fact that I want to date George Clooney may have something to do with it, but I could watch that one over and over. I liked Ides of March too, but haven't gone back to it like MC.
ReplyDeleteGood post.