George Clooney’s new political thriller is likely to keep you feeling uncomfortable, which seems to be its exact intent. It is a well crafted film that enjoys excellent performances and a steady directorial hand. The story, as the film’s title suggests, conveys betrayal and backstabbing so common in politics past and present. It exposes the political campaigns for what they are – a cruel game of chess, a battle in which soldiers and knights are scarified to save the king of the day. But here lies also the film’s weakness – it dehumanizes its characters and thus leaves the audience with little sympathy to the remaining cast. Furthermore, for a film that is an expose I came out from the theater having learned nothing I didn’t know already. Still, it’s a notable effort worth acknowledgement. Once Clooney graduates from the need to prove himself as a director I expect we can see him making superb cinema.