State Of Play

This movie is a convincing thriller and encompasses elements of Political intrigue, murder and newspaper dialogue making the story most believable and realistic. The Washington Globe Newspaper sets the scene; as a result newspaper journalism is so essential to the story of this film. Every small detail contributes significantly to the roots of the film as a whole and it is this attention to detail that lifts "State of Play" above the average political thriller. The film starts out when Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) a congressman who is heading up a government enquiry into a shady military supply company, is informed that his mistress has committed suicide on the underground subway. Clearly distressed and emotionally upset, unable to continue his chairing of the meeting at the investigation, triggers off a media frenzy, both live in the courtroom and on a Television broadcast. Seasoned reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) was his close friend in college, and the two remained friends… more »

This movie is a convincing thriller and encompasses elements of Political intrigue, murder and newspaper dialogue making the story most believable and realistic. The Washington Globe Newspaper sets the scene; as a result newspaper journalism is so essential to the story of this film. Every small detail contributes significantly to the roots of the film as a whole and it is this attention to detail that lifts "State of Play" above the average political thriller. The film starts out when Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) a congressman who is heading up a government enquiry into a shady military supply company, is informed that his mistress has committed suicide on the underground subway. Clearly distressed and emotionally upset, unable to continue his chairing of the meeting at the investigation, triggers off a media frenzy, both live in the courtroom and on a Television broadcast. Seasoned reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) was his close friend in college, and the two remained friends throughout the years. Congressman Collins displays his philosophy throughout the film, but that sense of morality is largely cloaked in secrets and mystery, leaving the viewers endlessly speculating on his true objective. In a bid to nullify the political onslaught of junior reporter Della Fry (Rachel McAdams), McAffrey sets out to find the truth about the story. He uses his friendship with Stephen Collins to gain exclusive first rights before the rest of the newspaper world.

The film is an intense edge of the seat thriller, and although the dialogue at times is heavily driven from a political and journalistic aspect, the tension and suspense is fantastic and as the film progresses the outstanding cast and the pressroom scenes add to the reality. Helen Mirren plays the role of Cameron Lynne the Washington Globe Editor and is simply fantastic. She plays an unyielding Editor and is never concerned in bringing McAffrey down to earth and letting him know who will have the last word on newspaper protocol. Ben Affleck once again proves that he can act when given the right character material. He gives his personality an air of isolated conceit and arrogance mixed with frustrated weakness.

Russell Crowe appears a suitably dishevelled journalist and he glides into his role perfectly. He is obstinate, and his ethically questionable tactics bring him into frequent conflict with his editor. As his junior reporter on the story, Rachel McAdams delivers a stellar role, giving her character a very lively, yet naive flavour and the two of them blend well together.

Like all good thrillers it twists, and weaves between scenes, the script is highly intelligent, consequently making the duration of the film full of intrigue and mystery never yielding a moment to boredom.

First confession - I have not seen the 2003 BBC mini-series that this film has been spun off from. So I cannot compare the two with each other. I can only write about this film on it's own merits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Two seemingly random murders, one connected to a US Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) are linked by reporter Cal MaCaffrey (Russell Crowe), bringing the two old college room-mates together to begin an investigation into the truth. The truth being far more sinister and complex than Cal could ever suspect.

A first-rate thriller for anyone who likes to be treated with a bit of intelligence, terrific performances - Russell Crowe is absolutely top notch and Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn all contribute well as Cal's Editor, newbie reporter and assistant, and as Anne Collins (Stephen's wife who Cal has his own deep feelings for). The political aspects of the conspiracy at the heart of the story are relevent but not forced or… more »

First confession - I have not seen the 2003 BBC mini-series that this film has been spun off from. So I cannot compare the two with each other. I can only write about this film on it's own merits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Two seemingly random murders, one connected to a US Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) are linked by reporter Cal MaCaffrey (Russell Crowe), bringing the two old college room-mates together to begin an investigation into the truth. The truth being far more sinister and complex than Cal could ever suspect.

A first-rate thriller for anyone who likes to be treated with a bit of intelligence, terrific performances - Russell Crowe is absolutely top notch and Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn all contribute well as Cal's Editor, newbie reporter and assistant, and as Anne Collins (Stephen's wife who Cal has his own deep feelings for). The political aspects of the conspiracy at the heart of the story are relevent but not forced or preached to the audience, merely the backdrop to the main focus on the characters interactions and discoveries.

I will be recommending the film to anyone, seeking out the mini-series, and happily buying the DVD when it's released!!

I loved the TV series this was based on, but at first sight when finding Hollywood had adapted the UK based mini-series to a feature length movie and moved the location to the U.S.A. I was horrified, as the first concerns that sprang to mind was how much can you dumb down a mini-series to fit into a two hour time slot, and now basing it in America was another insult.
I can hold my hand up and say I was wrong, as State Of Play is the best political thriller of the year, and none of the mini-series sharp edge has been lost. Infact the two hour running time makes the unfolding story seem even more urgent. Russell Crowe yet again proves he is one of the best actors on the planet, it's also good to see the much underrated Ben Affleck show he has resurfaced as a very good actor as he always promised to be. Again Rachael McAddams shows her potential to be one of Hollywoods leading ladies, as she stands her own against the acting and also looking at his expanding waist line, phisical… more »

I loved the TV series this was based on, but at first sight when finding Hollywood had adapted the UK based mini-series to a feature length movie and moved the location to the U.S.A. I was horrified, as the first concerns that sprang to mind was how much can you dumb down a mini-series to fit into a two hour time slot, and now basing it in America was another insult.
I can hold my hand up and say I was wrong, as State Of Play is the best political thriller of the year, and none of the mini-series sharp edge has been lost. Infact the two hour running time makes the unfolding story seem even more urgent. Russell Crowe yet again proves he is one of the best actors on the planet, it's also good to see the much underrated Ben Affleck show he has resurfaced as a very good actor as he always promised to be. Again Rachael McAddams shows her potential to be one of Hollywoods leading ladies, as she stands her own against the acting and also looking at his expanding waist line, phisical weight of Russell Crowe. Justin Bateman also pops up and shows he is always good in anything you put him in, and makes us forget his early ventures into movies with the terrible Teen Wolf Too, but it's Helen Mirren who steals every scene as the cheif editor of the news paper about to be the whistle blower on the political corruption story of the decade. The plot is great, as it twist and turns and never puts a foot wrong. The suspense through out the film is gripping and is superbly well handeled in the Assassin in a parking lot sequence, sure this has been done many of times in hundreds of movies, but rarley with such style. Also the sound track to the film is great, with a guitar riff that pumps along the tension to brilliant effect.
State of Play is a film you must see if you want something to think about during and after the movie as ended, and it does certainly stand up to repeated viewing.
Brilliant Intelligent movie making!