The Ides of March: 2011 R rated drama starring George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei. Directed by George Clooney. Screenplay by George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon. Based on the play Farragut North by Beau Willimon.

If you believe that politicians and their staffers are good, honest, idealistic people who never lie, manipulate or maneuver, beware The Ides of March.

If the current Republican primary and other events on the political scene aren’t providing enough excitement for you, rent this star-studded look at the all-too-human drama that happens behind the stage curtains and closed doors of a Presidential campaign.

The story revolves around the Ohio primary and the efforts of Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris (Clooney) and his crew, with aide Stephen Meyers (Gosling) front and center.

Much of the filming was done in Cincinnati, Ann Arbor and Detroit. Be on the lookout for the University of Michigan’s Arthur Miller Theatre, Power Center and Michigan League ballroom. The little girl who plays Clooney’s daughter is from Ann Arbor.

If you’re interested in zeroing in on other Michigan locations refer to this shooting schedule from On Location Vacations; it lists which actors were filmed where in March and April of 2011. I wish I had seen this before watching the movie. I may have to rent it again just for the fun of matching up the locations.