Another reviewer states that the savvy young woman in this film would have played her cards differently. They really don't understand young women and how truly vulnerable they can be, particularly if they've never had to problem solve before due to being wealthy, young, pretty and having a great job thrown their way because of cushy connections. All of that doesn't make you strong but just as naive as the next person with more showiness attached. So, moving past that, at about the 46 minute mark this movie kicks into top gear and goes 'vroom!' I don't know anything about the giant circus they call politics, particularly the truly absurd American game, other than it's dirty and has been since time immemorial... hence the title. If you see them smile and say lovely things to each other up their on the podium, sure, they absolutely have made a filthy, knock your socks off deal and still despise each other with a passion, but hey, the people want CIRCUS and if it gives us power then let them eat cake!
An excellent showcase of pretty faces, deep down ugly people and how one youngish man cuts his teeth for all time on the edge of a knife to become a power monger amongst the devil's henchmen. I didn't expect to like it much but it a great watch. Ryan Gosling was excellent. One thing: spoiler alert - In fact, and what a huge thing to muck up by the film makers, he DID have evidence and didn't need to make up a story about a 'note'. There was a phone call made by the politician in question to the girl at 2am in the morning. Easily traceable and would have made the ending more credible but I guess they wanted to play games with us and see how well we'd been watching and also take some very close-ups of Clooney being an actor, although I will admit it was all great fun to watch. The other thing: not sure if we were supposed to figure this out of feel our 'hero' had been hard done by. But frankly, he was the perfect person to continue on in politics. He's a liar and an opportunist. He lies to his superior and then pretends he's an innocent. Not really. His superior was in fact correct in treating him badly... he's um, a liar and he knows it's going against everything that he should be doing. And perfect for politics because he doesn't care who he's going to take down to satisfy his massive, entitled ego. A good watch. But cleverly made to want you to think he's a really nice guy. Snort.
An excellent showcase of pretty faces, deep down ugly people and how one youngish man cuts his teeth for all time on the edge of a knife to become a power monger amongst the devil's henchmen. I didn't expect to like it much but it a great watch. Ryan Gosling was excellent. One thing: spoiler alert - In fact, and what a huge thing to muck up by the film makers, he DID have evidence and didn't need to make up a story about a 'note'. There was a phone call made by the politician in question to the girl at 2am in the morning. Easily traceable and would have made the ending more credible but I guess they wanted to play games with us and see how well we'd been watching and also take some very close-ups of Clooney being an actor, although I will admit it was all great fun to watch. The other thing: not sure if we were supposed to figure this out of feel our 'hero' had been hard done by. But frankly, he was the perfect person to continue on in politics. He's a liar and an opportunist. He lies to his superior and then pretends he's an innocent. Not really. His superior was in fact correct in treating him badly... he's um, a liar and he knows it's going against everything that he should be doing. And perfect for politics because he doesn't care who he's going to take down to satisfy his massive, entitled ego. A good watch. But cleverly made to want you to think he's a really nice guy. Snort.