The Ides of March (2011)
(George Clooney, US 2011, 101 min., 35mm)
Just in time for the election, Hoffman is perfectly cast as a Democratic campaign manager in this study of the modern political process. George Clooney steps behind the camera to co-write and direct this adaptation of Beau Willimon’s debut play, Farragut North. Ryan Gosling stars as assistant campaign manager Stephen Meyers, working on the candidacy of Pennsylvania governor Mike Morris (Clooney), leading up to the Ohio primary. Stephen has found a candidate to believe in with Morris, running clean on a platform of common sense morality, but as Paul Zara (Hoffman) tries to drum up more support for Morris and Stephen, he comes into some sensitive information that may change his mind about politics and how he fits within the system. Nominated for its screenplay, Clooney fills his cast with talented actors, including Paul Giammatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, and Jeffrey Wright.
The Philip Seymour Hoffman film series is supported by James Declan Tobin on behalf of the Sumner Roy Kates Charitable Trust.