The film is set in the American state of Ohio, where junior campaign manager Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) is pitching for Mike Morris (George Clooney), a democratic presidential candidate. When Meyers receives a call from a campaigner for a rival candidate, he is curious, and agrees to meet him. It is to prove a fateful decision.
After Meyers tell his boss Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) about the covert meeting, he loses his job. But then Meyers stumbles across a game-changing secret which he decides to use to get back to the top.
While the script is full of political jargon and incomprehensible tactics, the film still manages to thrill, and shouldn't pose a problem even for those who struggle with Politics for Dummies.
It leaves you questioning whether there is such a thing as a true leader, rather than just an ordinary person with a corporate-scale campaign team and a great speech writer.
As for the cast, Gosling and Clooney make it all seem as if you are watching a slice of real life. The only downside is the rather abrupt ending. Still, you can't have it all.
Contains strong language and adult scenes
YP Rating: 4/5