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!