State of Play

[Highly rated reviewer]

Mixed Bag...

'Touching The Void' and 'The Last King of Scotland' director Kevin McDonald tackles a conspiracy thriller set amidst the background of the decaying American newspaper industry.

Russell Crowe shines in what is a seemingly custom made role as a less than perfect (apparently) old school newspaper journalist. There are some great supporting cast in this highly engaging and entertaining film. But there are too some very poor casting descisions. Helen Mirren in paticular, Jeff Daniels and 'the guy from the Orange mobile phone ads' are all way out of place here.

The script from current hot property Matthew Carnahan, Tony Gilroy and Billy Ray is as slick as you like - fast and well excecuted. But you can't help wondering that the story is all a bit too ludicrous. It's ridden with coincidences that conveniently tie all the characters together all too neatly.

Apparently the filmmakers wanted the film to be a disection of the imploding local newspaper industry in America and for it to serve as a relevant, modern day 'All The President's Men'. But sadly, none of these amitions come across and we don't get a sense of the newspaper environment within the actual movie. An Alan J. Pakula film this is not. If you're looking for a modern day disection of the downfall of the American newspaper, check out the last season of 'The Wire'...

[Highly rated reviewer]

Not Bad

An engaging thriller, very well done and superbly well acted by all involved, including Ben Affleck - I was surprised there.

I suppose British audiences who saw the BBC version this is based on will be disappointed that they know the ending, but this is still a confident and watchable political thriller.

All the better if you didn't see the TV original.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Gripping political thriller, slightly marred by confusing ending

From the opening scene - reminiscent of a Bond movie - it is clear that this is a well-told political drama. The story-telling is crisp, the performances are robust, and the production values are rich and deep.

Russell Crowe excels as an overweight luddite old-school journalist, with clear (lack of?) professional standards. They don't make them like this any more, is the subtext, with constant derogatory references to the new media journalism of blogging.

The new media journalism world is represented by Rachel McAdams, a pretty young intern brought in to write the newspaper's daily gossip column. She still has her ideals tho and they prove important as she finds herself immersed in the increasingly high stakes story that takes centre stage.

The explosive story that the two journalists uncover revolves around an important congressman who, would you believe it, was Crowe's college room-mate, and whose assistant meets an untimely end. Bizarre love triangles (?) and defence industry conspiracies both feature prominently.

Helen Mirren and Robin Wright Penn both do a decent job in support. Mirren is the newspaper's editor, a basically decent old-school type under pressure from the new owner (and those nasty new media competitors). Merryl Streep comes to mind, which doesn't do Mirren any favours. Penn bears no such comparison as the congressman's wife (and then some).

The story is very well told, right up to the denouement. A great climax would have made this a 4.5/5 star film but in fact I felt the ending left a disappointing taste in my mouth and I was wondering about 3.5*. In the end tho I give it 4.

It's certainly a good night's viewing and Russell Crowe proves again that he can carry a movie in a very wide range of roles.

* * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

[Highly rated reviewer]

State Of Play

From director Kevin Mc Donald who directed the impressive The Last King of Scotland we have a political thriller that really packs a punch . Journalist Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe ) works for the Washington Globe, a maverick with years of experience he continually sails close to the wind as he chases every lead to get a newsworthy story. His college buddy turned congressman Stephen Collins ( Ben Affleck) is on a senate committee panel that has been investigating the possible nefarious wrong doings of a huge corporate marines-for-hire group. But when he breaks down in tears on camera during an initial hearing following the suspicious death of a pretty young researcher Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer) attached to his office he opens up a real can of worms.

The story cracks wide open as we see Cal who wants to get to the bottom of things and write a good story in the process become torn between loyalty to his friend and Mrs Collins (Robin Wright-Penn ) and his duty to both his employer and his own conscience. Pushed on by ballsy editor Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) who assigns rookie journalist Della Frye ( Rachel Mc Adams) to assist Cal, and his own journalistic insticts, he soon begins to realise that someone, somewhere is trying to cover up a scandal that will leave Capitol Hill reeling.

It's an edgy, quality production ,though not without it's faults, the dialogue is a tad heavy, and the conclusion left a little to be desired, with acting heavyweights like Mirren not being given enough to do, and Mc Adams clearly miscast. That said on the positives Crowe dominates as the disgruntled journalist giving by far one of his better performances of recent years , with Affleck raising his game as a result. It's a complex thriller that needs some serious concentration , but it certainly has finesse and is smart and stylish in it's delivery. An entertaining piece that in the main doesn't disappoint, and I left the cinema feeling I'd spent my ticket money very wisely. In a word ....Intriguing

Brilliant!A very well put together political thriller!

This movie exceeded my expectactions!I haven't seen the BBC mini series, but this film was a highly polished, very well thought out and executed movie. First of all, with the exception of Rachel McAdams who I felt was miscast in the role of newbie journalist, the rest of the cast were absolutely brilliant.Actually couldn't fault them at all.Crowe was his usual excellent self, but I think overall everyone stepped up to the plate and delivered a gripping performance.This is a taut, suspenseful political drama that grips the viewers attention all the way through from beginning till end. I particularly enjoyed it because there were plenty of clues along the way that allowed the viewer to do their own detective thinking before anything unfolded on screen. This is a classic thinking man/woman's movie and really great to see with mates and discuss afterwards.Don't miss this, it's a true gem!

Jerky camerawork

Okay, but camerawork too jerky so we gave up watching it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

State Of Play

This is a conspiracy film with a difference, it’s almost believable, holding attention from beginning to end with some nice twists along the way. Leading a great cast, Russell Crowe is in magnificent form as a journalist trying to hold on to his integrity in the midst of plot and counter plot involving friends and lovers. Reminiscent of All The Presidents Men this is well worth the effort.

[Highly rated reviewer]

state of play

this BBC adaptation was a rather good twisty turny political yarn about journalists trying to crack a murky multiple murder and conspiracy involving private military companies who are trying to fit up a crusading politician investigating their nefarious ways for congress. it was thrilling, tense, engaging, packed with cracking performances (particularly mirren and crowe) and very real feeling, (it also takes a bunch of pops at newscorp which is always good) I was rather pleased with it. the whole thing is rather shot like a bourne movie fight scene... After traffic the Americans do seems to be getting rather good at condensing our TV dramas of yesteryear into classy thrillers.

State of Play

What a cracking film. Fast paced, first class all star cast who dont have to work to hard to tell a great story that is put together and played out seamlessly. Best new film I have seen this year.

[Highly rated reviewer]

State of play

not good, lost me after first ten minutes