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List Price: $29.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 457
Released: September 1, 2009 |
| Our Price: $9.95 |
| Used Price: $3.78 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast, including Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams & Helen Mirren in the blistering thriller about deception, manipulation and corruption. When D.C. Reporter Cal McCaffrey (Crowe) is assigned to investigate the murder of an assistant to an up-and-coming politician (Affleck), he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to bring down the nation’s power structures. In a town of spin-doctors and wealthy power brokers, he will discover one truth: when fortunes are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is safe. From director Kevin Macdonald of The Last King of Scotland, State of Play brings together gripping performances, riveting suspense and is “sophisticated, intelligent and powerful” (Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV).
Description of State of Play:
The superlative British miniseries becomes a smart, soap opera-free film courtesy of The Last King of Scotland's Kevin Macdonald. His writers, including Tony Gilroy (the Bourne series) and Billy Ray (Breach), haven't simply condensed and Americanized the six-hour series--they've reinvented it. Now set in Washington D.C., veteran journalist Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe, replacing Brad Pitt, who dropped out over script changes) still collaborates with editor Cameron Lynne (a delectably imperious Helen Mirren) and junior reporter Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) on a story involving Cal's politico pal, Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck), but there's a new subtext behind their plunge into sex scandals and corporate malfeasance, since this State of Play also eulogizes old-school beat reporting, and in interviews, Macdonald has acknowledged the influence of newsprint classics like All the President's Men (the Watergate Hotel even shows up as a location). So, while Cal and Della, the Globe’s blogger, try to determine whether the congressman’s aide Sonia (with whom he was having an affair) died at her own hands or the hands of another, they're also fighting for their careers and the survival of their ailing paper. Stephen's political rival Senator Fergus (Jeff Daniels), does his best to stymie their efforts, but PR flack Dominic Foy (Jason Bateman) becomes a reluctant ally. Though fans of the series may miss a few characters, like Cameron's son (played by James McAvoy in the BBC version), Oscar-winning documentarian-turned-filmmaker Macdonald remains true to its spirit. Be sure to stay through the poignant end credits, during which he returns to his doc roots. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Stills from State of Play (Click for larger image)
State of Play Reviews:
Exceeded my expectations. 
2009-12-01 - D.C. journalist Cal McAffrey (Crowe) is forever chasing down his next big story. Suddenly, he finds himself in the middle of a mystery/scandal that could not only rock the foundation of D.C. politics, but his friendship with Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). Collins is in the mist of a scandal, a young, beautiful member of his staff (Sonia) appears to have died under mysterious circumstances, and it would seem he was having an illicit affair with her. McAffrey and his trusty sidekick/rising investigative journalist Della Frye (played by Rachel McAdams) are determined to get to the truth, but eventually find that Sonia's death may be related to the recent death of a drug dealer. What does this all REALLY mean? Will McAffrey's relationship with his friend (Collin's), or his lust for Collin's wife (played by Robin Wright Penn), cloud his judgment? Will he "sacrifice his story" for love or glory? Chalked full of countless scandals, political cover-ups and other twists and turns you are spellbound until McAffrey discovers the startling truth. Everything in Washington is not what it seems.
While I am not a Crowe or Affleck fan, I really enjoyed this movie. They were both captivating and enthralling. And there were tons of great actors, among them bad boy/all knowing insider Justin Bateman. Definitely see this movie if you are in the mood for a decent plot performed by some talented actors, which could explain why I enjoyed this movie so much. It far exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. And while the end was a little "unbelievable", the journey getting there was enjoyable.
Good, but not fantastic 
2009-11-30 - The plot was complicated, but not overly complicated. The acting was good. I thought Affleck was a little miscaste. I didn't think he came off very well as a powerful congressman. Although, his questioning of the executive at the hearings was very good. I thought Crowe was great. Helen Mirren was very good. The rest of the cast works. The plot was well paced. The topic was timely. It brought in the demise of newspaper being replaced be online blogs. The atmosphere was very appropriate and the sets were good.
The problems were slight. The friendships were complex, but some of the history was overly complicated. Crowe's character at one time slept with his best friend's wife. This was an unnecessary complication I thought. The problem was the denouement. We had the big revelation and the case is solved, but the movie kept going. So we knew something else going on and it wasn't hard to guess who was involved. It was a slight let down.
In summary, I recommend the movie. I liked the topic, the pacing, and the actors. The plot was good, but not great.
Solid Suspense Film
2009-11-30 - First, I must confess that I haven't seen the BBC mini-series of the same name. I'm pretty confident from what I've heard and previous BBC to US film adaptations (Traffik) that the results would favor the quality of the BBC version. Without a comparison to draw, I thought this movie was quite good and a well done suspense film.
On the positive side, I thought the performances by Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Helen Miren were all really solid. My favorite perfomance was the 15 minutes of Jason Bateman as the slick, arrogant, empty suite PR guy. The screenplay did a strong job of integrating the tension between old-media and new media, both the pressures facing the editorial side from the corporate owners along with the challenges faced by journalists in the quest for less depth pieces and more real time sound bites to compete with the 24 hour nature of the web. Throughout the movie the tension between Crowe and Miren was palpable in their scenes together and permeated the feeling that existed in the newsroom. Crowe and McAdams had very good chemistry -- Crowe, the wise and experienced journalist who hopelessly clings to an outdated and idealistic view of his "calling" while McAdams is the new breed of journalist, more opinionated and provocative to compete with the reality of 24 hour news cycles, blogs and talk radio.
On the negative side, Ben Affleck was mediocre and seemed to be going through the motions during much of his screen time. I didn't find him credible as the former soldier turned up-and-coming Congressman. Additionally, I found the relationship between Crowe and Robin Wright forced and not very additive to the plot. When the news is breaks after the death of Sonia Parker and her relationship with Stephen Collins (Affleck) is revealed, how was it possible that his wife (Wright) could have made it out to a hotspot bar in DC without being hounded by the press -- especially after they were camped outside her home earlier that day.
Overall, I enjoyed "State of Play" for what it was. It wasn't nearly as good as "Michael Clayton", "Breach" or "The Insider". However, it provided for two solid hours of entertainment with a plausible plot line, some good star acting power and fast-paced action.
Enjoyable if forgettable
2009-11-22 - The Bottom Line:
When you walk away and think about the plot of State of Play there are a dozen plot holes and the denouement falls rather flat, but it works as a solid thriller while you're watching it, providing two hours of fast-moving entertainment without seeming to insult your intelligence; if you want a disposable 120 minutes of movie fun, by all means check this film out.
3/4
Good fun political thriller
2009-11-21 - This was a good political thriller after a while. If I may digress a little bit, how come there are never enough good political thrillers?
Crowe as usual is good. Rachel McAdams is believable and Ben Affleck and Robin Wright Penn turn in good performances. On the Blu-ray disc, the dark recesses of DC and the dark nature of politics appeared as they should- dark and creepy. Good transfer. Great sound. I have a minor peeve about the extras on the disc or lack of thereof but still enjoyed a good thriller. Now I want to see the BBC miniseries which it is based on.
For folks looking for an adult political thriller, here is one. Enjoy!
