City Hall - 1996

Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures

Directed by Harold Becker

Cast:

• Mayor John Pappas – Al Pacino
• Deputy Mayor Kevin Calhoun – John Cusack
• Marybeth Cogan – Bridget Fonda
• Alderman Frank Anselmo – Danny Aiello
• Judge Walter Stern – Martin Landau
• Abe Goodman – David Paymer
• Paul Zapatti – Tony Franciosa
• Larry Schwartz – Richard Schiff

Story: Politics is the business of keeping your ear to the ground, even when you've already been elected. Case in point: an idealistic young man from the south hooks up with the Mayor of New York City to become second in command. As the right hand man, its up to him to let the Mayor know what's important and what is going to be on the news. Without warning, a narcotics cop meets with a known drug dealer and cousin of a notorious mob boss, and they both end up dead, along with an innocent bystander, a six year old African American boy. An investigation ensues that threatens to unearth a long hidden pattern of corruption that leads to the highest levels of NYC government, and may shatter the illusions of the well meaning but naive deputy mayor.

Review: This film did not do well at the box office, probably because the drama is mostly in the dialog. There are a few tense moments, but most of the suspense and tension in the film come from Pacino's dynamic personality and Cusack's charm. Which is not to say the film is without merit. As a political thriller, it is probably more accurate in the way events are handled than most. You see the people in the mix, you see the steps that have to be taken, and you see the politics involved. Pacino's soliloquy at the funeral of the murdered child is nothing short of incredible, but soliloquy is what Al does best. Splendid performances by Aiello, Landau, Paymer, and Schiff fill out the plot with color and flair, and almost make up for the lackluster Fonda and the much too stereotypical Franciosa. Not at the top of my list, but definitely not at the bottom. Collectible if you are a lover of Pacino or Cusack, rated R for language and violence.

The Ides of March - 2011

Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media Group, Smoke House

Directed by George Clooney

Cast:

• Governor Mike Morris – George Clooney
• Stephen Meyers – Ryan Gosling
• Paul Zara – Phillip Seymour Hoffman
• Tom Duffy – Paul Giamatti
• Molly Stearns – Evan Rachel Wood
• Ida Horowicz – Marisa Tomei
• Senator Thompson – Jeffrey Wright

Story: In Ohio, the hotly contested race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination is on, Governor Morris's team is making deals, advising their candidate, and trying to keep ahead of the opponent. The bright young assistant campaign manager is working with the interns, keeping them hopping by doing all the leg work while he is busy analyzing the data. He soon discovers two problems. First, he finds out a 20 year old intern is pregnant...by the candidate. Second, he gets a call from the campaign manager of the opponent. Things quickly deteriorate from that point, and he has to decide if he will play hard ball with the big boys or take his football and go home. A well written and well directed political drama that will keep you riveted to the screen.

Review: This is not Clooney's first time in the director's chair, and his abilities as a director and an actor are constantly improving. While the film is about the Presidential race, the action centers around Gosling's character, and he seems to segue nicely from his previous romantic comedy - action adventure roles into something a bit more serious. His connection with Evan Rachel Wood is touching and real, something that might happen in the discreet world of politics, and his hypocrisy and elitist attitude is concealed in their affair. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti are dynamic and powerful as the opposing campaign managers, and Marisa Tomei is the investigative reporter who knows how to twist the arm of her sources. Clooney also wrote the screenplay. An overall tour de force for Clooney, with solid acting, smooth action, and a surprising twist at the end. Sex and language prevent this from being a family film, but the adults and later teens will be enthralled by the accuracy of the campaign process. Collectible if you like politics.

Michael Clayton - 2007

Samuels Media, Castle Rock Entertainment, Mirage Films

Written and Directed by Tony Gilroy

Cast:

• Micheal Clayton – George Clooney
• Arthur Edens – Tom Wilkinson
• Marty Bach – Sydney Pollack
• Barry Grissom – Micheal O'Keefe
• Karen Crowder – Tilda Swinton
• Gene Clayton – Sean Cullen

Story: Behind the scenes, Micheal Clayton is damage control for a large, prestigious law firm. He is the “fixer”, the guy they send to clean up a mess when their clients screw up. Only this time, it isn't a client. Arthur Edens is one of the top attorneys of the firm, and he suddenly goes nuts in a deposition, tearing off his clothes and proclaiming his love for one of the plaintiff's, a young girl from an upstate claim against a corporation for violating pollution laws and causing cancer through their negligence. Years of suppressing documents and winning for the sake of winning have taken their toll on Arthur, and he is about to release damning evidence against his own client. Clayton has his own problems as well, and his entire life is hanging on the edge. He is the man balancing six plates on the ends of brooms in the sideshow, and he is about to lose control of them all. He is trying to keep Arthur under control when Arthur suddenly dies of a heart attack...or was it? The world of corporate dealings, legal footwork, and back room deals is explored and revealed in this fascinating film.

Review: What makes this film so interesting is that it hits so close to the mark. You go out wondering if you should check your portfolio to see if you own shares of Unorth. Clooney, Wilkinson, Swinton, O'Keefe, and Pollack are the perfect people to play the roles, and the way the film begins is an exceptional tool to keep you nailed to the drama. There is an economy of scenes, nothing wasted, nothing there that should not be, and the suspense builds as surprisingly as a symphony by Brahms or Mozart. Granted, a writer should be able to direct his own story, but Gilroy displays an amazing lack of dictatorial persuasion and the actors become the roles. You leave with a satisfaction and a promise that all has been set right, and Michael Clayton will live to fight another day. Definitely not for the children, too much harsh language. If you are a fan of legal drama and suspense, this one belongs in your collection.