Daniel McCain

I liked this movie -- that's a bit of an understatement. Political campaign turned on its head in one moment & one unguarded slip by an unseasoned political staff insider. I thought the script was well honeed, giving a look inside of an election campaign & the tension that can be created in a moment by being in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time. George Colony delivers, as he always does, as the candidate who needs not loyalty, but professionalism from his staff. However, the unintentional act by his chief assistant, Ryan Gosling, turning in one of his best performances, could sink the election for his boss. The scene with Gosling & Giamanti, is pivotal. Tensions peak when the two characters, from the opposite candidate's camps, discuss the dirty nuances of politics. Gosling gets an earful of bottom-feeder wisdom about strict loyalty v. competence. Loyalty to the boss always trumps competence in the political dog-eat-dog world. In this scene we learn that Gosling has not yet been immersed in the baptisminal waters of this maximum. Ryan's character makes an ill-fated novice error that goes unreported to his boss, creating the possible demise of Cloonys candicacy. There is an undocumented rule in politics & law that states: The mere appearance of an indiscretion is the same as commiting that indiscretion. That's one bitter pill that can poison if taken too late.