In politics, loyalty is more important than doing the right thing.

So says “The Ides of March,” the political thriller directed, co-written and co-starring George Clooney.  Set during a Democratic presidential primary race, “Ides of March” doesn’t have a positive opinion on the business of politicking. Even the players who work with a self-established ethical code will make sacrifices for a chance at the White House.

Based on the play “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon, with a screenplay by Willimon, Clooney and Grant Heslov, “The Ides of March” has the tone, pacing and theatrics consistent with those of a high-pressure political campaign. It also has a few plot twists that belong in a different movie.

Ryan Gosling, already a standout this fall in “Drive,” stars as Stephen Meyers, an idealistic junior campaign manager working for Governor Mike Morris (Clooney) on the eve of a vital primary in Ohio. Stephen’s mentor and boss, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to secure the endorsement of an influential Senator (Jeffrey Wright), while the opposition’s campaign manager Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti) calls Stephen with inside information and a potential job offer.

Much of the ballyhoo in “The Ides of March” swings on a meeting between Stephen and Tom, with a reporter (Marisa Tomei) learning about the seemingly harmless interaction. On the campaign trail though, small decisions can often make the difference in a tight election.

Oh yeah, let’s not forget the seductive young intern played by Evan Rachel Wood. You can probably guess that will lead to trouble.

Casting the likes of Gosling, Hoffman and Giamatti proves to be Clooney’s best decision on the film. With actors like these up against each other, the script doesn’t have to be great. Everybody gets a juicy speech, with Hoffman and Giamatti going back to their roots as standout character actors making the most of just a few scenes.

Clooney gives himself a key supporting role, but Gosling takes “The Ides of March” to anchor even as the film teeters the line of believability. Without giving too much away, the storyline involving the intern exists mostly as a plot device rather than a natural consequence of character action. Wood, however, manages her best in a role that never really makes a place for itself within the rest of the movie.

“The Ides of March” takes place exclusively within a Democratic primary, but very little of the movie, other than snippets of Gov. Morris’ speeches, is about ideological beliefs. It has a fairly straightforward purpose: To show how the political system can crush even the most idealistic participants.

But hey, be sure to get on out there and vote!

Grade: B+