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Le Idi di Marzo
Dialoghi affilati, battute taglienti, un'ironia corrosiva. Beau Willimon, astro della scena teatrale americana, mette in campo le sue armi migliori per raccontare la vicenda di Stephen Bellamy, addetto stampa del governatore dell'lowa durante la corsa alle primarie del Partito Democratico per la candidatura alla presidenza. Bellamy è giovane, ma ha già alle spalle una carriera invidiabile, nel suo campo è considerato il migliore. Perché è creativo e soprattutto crede in ciò che fa. Presto però si scontrerà con le leggi non scritte, ma ferree, della competizione politica: l'ambizione sfrenata, i deliri di onnipotenza, il cinismo e la vocazione al compromesso, all'ipocrisia, al ricatto, alla congiura. La necessità di vendersi l'anima, in nome del potere e della vendetta. La storia è ispirata al lavoro svolto da Willimon nello staff di Howard Dean, aspirante candidato alla presidenza nel 2004.
121 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 12, 2015
This play, the source material for the Clooney movie "Ides of March," was Beau Willimon's ticket to House of Cards. Based on reading this play versus the screenplay, and the early draft of the House of Cards pilot (on Wikileaks!) versus the shooting script, I have surmised a couple of things about Mr. Willimon.
1. The guy has a pretty dim view of human nature. I mean, I tend to skew cynical myself, but DAMN. Is a single decent, moral character too much to ask for? I really miss Jed Bartlett.
2. He works better with other writers to round him out. The screenplay adaptation for "Ides of March" raises the stakes on the Molly subplot. It cuts out a lot of the filler. It crafts a more complex ending. In House of Cards, everything that's interesting about Claire is missing from the early draft.
I like House of Cards fine, but I know I'm never going to re-watch any of it. Ditto this play - once you know the twist, there isn't anything about the journey that's worth repeating.
1. The guy has a pretty dim view of human nature. I mean, I tend to skew cynical myself, but DAMN. Is a single decent, moral character too much to ask for? I really miss Jed Bartlett.
2. He works better with other writers to round him out. The screenplay adaptation for "Ides of March" raises the stakes on the Molly subplot. It cuts out a lot of the filler. It crafts a more complex ending. In House of Cards, everything that's interesting about Claire is missing from the early draft.
I like House of Cards fine, but I know I'm never going to re-watch any of it. Ditto this play - once you know the twist, there isn't anything about the journey that's worth repeating.
July 30, 2014
After being thoroughly impressed with the film adaptation , I was immediately interested in reading Farragut North, as it seemed to have many things I loved seeing in American political drama's: journalism, back-alley deals, double-crossing, scandals and much more. Therefore, I will simply say right off the bat, the film version is better.
While I won't say I was disappointed with Farragut North, it certainly is an entertaining and intriguing read and I imagine it makes a relatively straight forward play to produce (Given that it's mostly just people sitting and talking to each other the entire time). However, this is a very rare case where the Hollywood film adaptation is darker and overall more dramatic than it's source material. For example, in Farragut North, the candidate who the characters are campaigning for, Governor Morris, never appears in person, he is only mentioned and in The Ides of March he is portrayed by George Clooney. At first, I thought this was a good choice because it means that this could be any political campaign, not this one specifically or perhaps implying that the candidates have less control of their campaigns than we'd think; and for what the play is going for, this is good and it certainly works, however, this means that an important sub-plot from the film, involving the character Molly, is absent from the play, as is an important power scene toward the end of Ides of March, both of which I sorely missed from the play.
However, the real decider between the play and the film for me was their ending's. Without wishing to spoil anything, the ending to Farragut North feels like a simple ending which ultimately resolves the story that is being told and where the big picture will survive; again, for what the play is going for, this is fine, as it adds to the play's moral that this is simply the harsh reality of political campaigns. In Ides of March, the ending is a lot more dark and ambiguous, you feel as if the Morris campaign has been shaken up and has changed, but there could be consequences later; but it doesn't matter because the main character has won, adding to his development from an idealistic political rising star to the sleazy, self-serving campaigner that he loathed. Therefore, I prefer The Ides of March because, to put it simply, the story feels like it has more weight to it and thus is more interesting.
That said, overall, Farragut North is a very well written and enjoyable play especially if you're a fan of things like The West Wing or House of Cards, as I am. If you like a plot that's a bit more simple and straight-foward (Well, as much as you can get for a story like this), then you might like this more than the film; at any rate, I'm glad I gave it a read and I'd say whether you've seen the film version or not, it's definitely worth checking out.
While I won't say I was disappointed with Farragut North, it certainly is an entertaining and intriguing read and I imagine it makes a relatively straight forward play to produce (Given that it's mostly just people sitting and talking to each other the entire time). However, this is a very rare case where the Hollywood film adaptation is darker and overall more dramatic than it's source material. For example, in Farragut North, the candidate who the characters are campaigning for, Governor Morris, never appears in person, he is only mentioned and in The Ides of March he is portrayed by George Clooney. At first, I thought this was a good choice because it means that this could be any political campaign, not this one specifically or perhaps implying that the candidates have less control of their campaigns than we'd think; and for what the play is going for, this is good and it certainly works, however, this means that an important sub-plot from the film, involving the character Molly, is absent from the play, as is an important power scene toward the end of Ides of March, both of which I sorely missed from the play.
However, the real decider between the play and the film for me was their ending's. Without wishing to spoil anything, the ending to Farragut North feels like a simple ending which ultimately resolves the story that is being told and where the big picture will survive; again, for what the play is going for, this is fine, as it adds to the play's moral that this is simply the harsh reality of political campaigns. In Ides of March, the ending is a lot more dark and ambiguous, you feel as if the Morris campaign has been shaken up and has changed, but there could be consequences later; but it doesn't matter because the main character has won, adding to his development from an idealistic political rising star to the sleazy, self-serving campaigner that he loathed. Therefore, I prefer The Ides of March because, to put it simply, the story feels like it has more weight to it and thus is more interesting.
That said, overall, Farragut North is a very well written and enjoyable play especially if you're a fan of things like The West Wing or House of Cards, as I am. If you like a plot that's a bit more simple and straight-foward (Well, as much as you can get for a story like this), then you might like this more than the film; at any rate, I'm glad I gave it a read and I'd say whether you've seen the film version or not, it's definitely worth checking out.
September 2, 2025
Really messed with this!! So excited to play Molly :)))
September 12, 2013
A look at the backroom of politics which is as fueled by prestige as the front of house is.
Great dialogue that reads as improv speech rather then a written word.
From a staging point of view; simple sets make is adaptable for most venues and budgets. The lack of pop culture candidate names make it ageless.
Good read. Cant wait to see it on stage.
Great dialogue that reads as improv speech rather then a written word.
From a staging point of view; simple sets make is adaptable for most venues and budgets. The lack of pop culture candidate names make it ageless.
Good read. Cant wait to see it on stage.
watched-not-read
July 15, 2021The Ides of March (2011)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/...
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/...
February 10, 2012
Probably hadn't read a play since high school but read this because the movie 'Ides of March' was based on it and it was nominated for best adapted screenplay. Very interesting to sort of 'see how the sausage' was made on this one. The play and the movie were vastly different. The movie was a huge improvement. Made for a quick read though and it was kind of cool to notice how characters are developed differently in plays than in books.
March 23, 2016
It's just so obvious to me that a dude wrote this based off Molly's character alone.
February 6, 2026
fast and entertaining read. i overall really enjoyed it. my biggest problem is the way molly is written. you can tell that she was written by a man, with the way her gender specific issues seemed to lack nuance or care. yes, the narrative’s point is that molly’s struggles are meaningless in the heartless world of politics, but it seems that story doesn’t so much as comment on her struggle but use it as a spectacle. one of her first scenes she is talking about how she has slept with many older man, including her english teacher when she was fifteen. instead of evaluating with confession and what it means, the play quickly brushes by it. now, this moment could be used to show how men corrupt across all fields, it doesn’t lean strong enough into that statement for it to feel intentional. overall, the confession that molly was raped feels almost voyeuristic and used as a way to shock rather than given the care it deserved. it seems like just another instance of a man using women’s issues as entertainment rather than having a stance on it. however, i don’t want to bash on the way molly was written completely. again, this could be as a way to showcase how women’s issues are not taken seriously in politics. that violence against women is so common place, that we are no longer phased by it in this cynical world. all that said, i would argue that the narrative doesn’t lean strong enough into this angle for it to be meaningful and just reads as hollow.
November 10, 2025
So, this play didn’t have a basic description, I guess I’ll have to write one:
This play is about politics and the volatility of a career in politics. It’s about miscalculation and cockiness, It is about hubris, and manipulation. It’s about honor and grit. It’s about the dirty underbelly of politics.
OMG! This was a gripping play. I produced it in my head as I read it. I’m thinking that the only significant flaw that I saw in it was that I think the ages, as written in the script, are a few years too young, but only like 3-5 years. Adding those years would lend more weight to the play. It is easier to give younger people grace over condemnation, and I believe condemnations are in order here. It starts out with hope and the promise that they are on the right road. And it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
If you like political mayhem, this your play. It starts out on a nice journey to the White House, and ends up in the gutter. It follows the downfall of one very successful Press Secretary and the behind the scenes work of a political campaign. You never even meet the candidate. It’s not about the candidate. It rarely is.
This would be a real thriller on stage.
Recommended for those who like it down and dirty. Not for staid audiences, and not family friendly.
This play is about politics and the volatility of a career in politics. It’s about miscalculation and cockiness, It is about hubris, and manipulation. It’s about honor and grit. It’s about the dirty underbelly of politics.
OMG! This was a gripping play. I produced it in my head as I read it. I’m thinking that the only significant flaw that I saw in it was that I think the ages, as written in the script, are a few years too young, but only like 3-5 years. Adding those years would lend more weight to the play. It is easier to give younger people grace over condemnation, and I believe condemnations are in order here. It starts out with hope and the promise that they are on the right road. And it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
If you like political mayhem, this your play. It starts out on a nice journey to the White House, and ends up in the gutter. It follows the downfall of one very successful Press Secretary and the behind the scenes work of a political campaign. You never even meet the candidate. It’s not about the candidate. It rarely is.
This would be a real thriller on stage.
Recommended for those who like it down and dirty. Not for staid audiences, and not family friendly.
April 23, 2019
follows the same model of appealing to the most cynical view of american politics with a good amount of truth that most of willimon’s career follows (his work on house of
cards etc.). It’s a bit slow at times, but the attention to detail is fantastic and makes up
for the lack of pace.
cards etc.). It’s a bit slow at times, but the attention to detail is fantastic and makes up
for the lack of pace.
February 18, 2022
As a political journalist, yah
February 1, 2025
This is a screenplay. The movie is called "Ides of March". The movie version is more intriguing than the play.
June 10, 2026
As a girl, portraying evil man Steven was the hardest role to do.
September 8, 2026
stephen i am dissecting you like a frog in biology class
August 7, 2016
The play is a quick, enjoyable read. The dialogue is crisp and Mametian, and you can easily see this 2005 play as training wheels for Willimon's later vehicle, HBO’s House of Cards. In 2011, George Clooney filmed a 12” extended dance version of Farragut North, called The Ides of March, and I think the story benefits from the addition of the 3rd Act.
The play is centered around by a young, whipsmart political operative and his interactions and subsequent schooling by two older operatives. The play ends with the Ryan Gosling character unemployed and reacting badly, throwing all of his toys out of his playpen. However, the film succeeds by showing us what happens next. Which of the two potential older versions of himself will Ryan Gosling turn out to be in 20 years? The weary, jaded Philip Seymour Hoffman, clinging to his idealism, or F***-principles-winning-is-the-only-thing-that-matters-in-politics, Paul Giamatti? Or having viewed the sausage-making process will he just walk away? This resolution is missing from the play, which makes it feel light and incomplete.
Interestingly, I read somewhere that the film was delayed due to the election of Obama, because it was felt the cynical spirit of the film wouldn’t appeal in the flush felt after the his election. Only after Hope and Change wore off, and American politics reverted to the mean, where they able to get funding for the film.
The play is centered around by a young, whipsmart political operative and his interactions and subsequent schooling by two older operatives. The play ends with the Ryan Gosling character unemployed and reacting badly, throwing all of his toys out of his playpen. However, the film succeeds by showing us what happens next. Which of the two potential older versions of himself will Ryan Gosling turn out to be in 20 years? The weary, jaded Philip Seymour Hoffman, clinging to his idealism, or F***-principles-winning-is-the-only-thing-that-matters-in-politics, Paul Giamatti? Or having viewed the sausage-making process will he just walk away? This resolution is missing from the play, which makes it feel light and incomplete.
Interestingly, I read somewhere that the film was delayed due to the election of Obama, because it was felt the cynical spirit of the film wouldn’t appeal in the flush felt after the his election. Only after Hope and Change wore off, and American politics reverted to the mean, where they able to get funding for the film.
October 31, 2011
I wonder if the author wrote this, hoping it would get picked up as a movie? I sat through the Ides of March today, wondering how it could be that I'd seen it before. I guess that makes the play not particularly memorable. I just don't think there is enough in it and that applies to the movie too. Ryan Gosling looking like Ryan Gosling isn't enough.
October 12, 2011
very good fast read play....The movie THE IDES OF MARCH made an improvement of this play.
December 1, 2014
politics? scandal? intrigue? yes, please.
April 20, 2016
Interesting roles for men - 19 year old female. Could replace the lead with a woman -change dynamics a bit. Good to ride on the coattails of the House of Cards success in an election year.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews