Watch Ryan Gosling Charm Shady Political Figures in First Trailer for The Ides of March

"You got something the other guys don't have. You exude something, you draw people in. [...] All the reporters love you." Yep, that's a quote about Ryan Gosling. Sorry: Ryan Gosling's character in The Ides of March, the hugely anticipated George Clooney-directed political thriller that will open the Venice Film Festival in August before heading to Toronto. Really, though: Gosling does exude something -- will the stuffy topic of political intrigue damp that down?

Pause here for LOLZ. Like Ryan Gosling's charm can ever be damped down! (Blue Valentine excepting.) The Gos stars as a political idealist and campaign worker in Ides, with a presidential candidate (George Clooney) who seems perfect for office. Until... something... happens. Paul Giamatti knows what's up; so does Philip Seymour Hoffman (doing his gruff asshole thing to perfection in the trailer). Will Gosling's Stephen do the right thing? Is there a "right thing"?

Thankfully, the trailer doesn't give away too much, but sets the pieces on the board in expert fashion. Clooney looks slick here (more Michael Clayton than Danny Ocean), but it's Gosling's show. It seems even the former Sexiest Man Alive knows when to step aside.

VERDICT: Vote yes.