The Ides of March (2011)

Political drama adapted from Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North. It’s directed by George Clooney, who plays a liberal-minded governor running for president. Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is his junior campaign manager, reporting to the skilled but cynical Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And Evan Rachel Wood is the young intern whose affair with the governor threatens to bring down the entire campaign. 

It’s a fascinating insight into the politics behind the politics. Because it’s from a play, it’s strong on dialogue and character. There’s an escalating tension that’s brilliantly handled by everyone involved. There’s a theme about idealism being eroded by the cynical realities of the political system, and Gosling is superb as a representation of that conflict. Also at their best are Paul Giamatti as a rival campaign manager, Marisa Tomei as a reporter for the New York Times and Jeffrey Wright as the Democratic Senator from North Carolina.

Serena (2014)

Gripping drama that becomes progressively more hair-raising. 

It’s 1929 and George Pemberton (Bradley Cooper) runs a timber business in North Carolina. When he falls in love with a forthright young woman named Serena (Jennifer Lawrence) and brings her into the company, everything changes. She’s haunted by a tragedy in her past and also by the existence of George’s child with another local woman. He is haunted by a crime she encourages him to commit. Before long, everything falls apart. 

This film got heavily criticised for various reasons, none of which I would recognise as being flaws. The characters are perfectly drawn and their motivations are made clear. The storytelling is lucid, thanks to Susanne Bier’s solid direction. The remote location looks great, too, despite the use of the sort of filters I usually find distracting. The film does become melodramatic, it’s true, but that seems entirely in keeping with their situation as their problems swiftly escalate.

Trouble with the Curve (2012)

Baseball-themed drama starring Clint Eastwood as Gus, an elderly talent scout with failing eyesight and a bad temper. Amy Adams plays Mickey, his daughter – a successful lawyer who puts her career on hold to accompany her dad on a scouting trip to North Carolina to look after him. She also tries to find out why he has always rejected her. Justin Timberlake is a younger scout who seeks Mickey’s affections. 

It’s quite unusual in tone and pace, being a slow-burner that’s gently funny. Eastwood looks incredibly old and his voice is sometimes a barely audible croak. That all works with his character, though, even if it can make for uncomfortable viewing. Adams steals the show by exuding charm. Timberlake is less convincing, and I found his performance a little generic. My heart sank when John Goodman walked on as Eastwood’s boss, but he exercises more restraint than usual. 

All in all it’s a pleasing film that won’t change the world but which achieves what it sets out to.

Cold Mountain (2003)

Truly excellent drama set during the US civil war. It’s a war film, a love story and a historical epic. 

When the war breaks out, the quiet, inarticulate Inman (Jude Law) is one of the young men from North Carolina who has to fight with the Confederate army. But he has just fallen for Ada (Nicole Kidman), the daughter of the preacher (Donald Sutherland), and has to leave her – just as their relationship is beginning. Injured in battle, he attempts to make his way back home to Ada while being hunted for deserting. 

All of the leads are on excellent form. Renée Zellweger plays Ruby, a plucky free spirit who helps Ada salvage her farm and her self-respect. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a crooked preacher. Natalie Portman is a widowed mother. There are also parts for Jack White, Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy. 

It’s an emotional and affecting work that avoids cliché, especially since the romance is unconventional to begin with. The couple barely know each other, but their connection is overwhelmingly powerful. As a result, the film is too.