Release Date: 4/17/09
State of Play, directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) and written by Matthew Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), and Billy Ray (Breach) is based on the television series written by Paul Abbott. This crime thriller is packed with plot and A-list actors. Think Michael Clayton without the originality or All the Presidents Men without being so political. Nevertheless, this film is very well written, very entertaining, and a lot easier to follow then the previous mentioned films, which makes for a damn good flick.
The film takes place in Washington D.C. where a petty thief is gunned down in an alley and a Congressman’s assistant falls in front of a subway – two seemingly unrelated deaths. But not to wisecracking, brash newspaper reporter, Cal McAffrey played by Russell Crowe, who believes a conspiracy is waiting to be uncovered. With a turbulent past connected to the Congressman and the aid of ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye played by Rachel McAdams, Cal begins uprooting clues that lead him to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins. But as he draws closer to the truth, the relentless journalist must decide if it’s worth risking his life and losing some friends to get his ultimate story.
Russell Crowe always puts in solid work and it’s nothing but the same from this talented actor here. He plays the part very well, even while rocking the hippie look. Rachel McAdams is a fresh face and I’m excited to see her doing some fine acting in this film. She pulls off the newcomer to the Washington Post to perfection and is damn cute while doing it. The supporting cast is also star-studded, with Ben Affleck leading the way putting in some of his best work in a decade. He really isn’t that bad of an actor and he shows it in this film. Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jeff Daniels, Jason Bateman, and even a small part by recent Oscar nominee Viola Davis, are all very good in their small roles. Give some credit to the director for really getting everything he possibly could from all the actors in this film.
The writing is what makes this film what it is. There are parts that have you on the edge of your seat, especially a certain parking garage scene that is sure to stand out in the suspense factor. I can imagine the all-star writing team sitting around smoking cigarettes and drinking beers coming up with a tight script that you can feel them all involved in. The script is so involved with plot that sometimes you are a little short on the character development. There are parts that you wish you had more development in because it would make you feel a little bit more for the characters but it’s not to bad to where it ruins the film.
The film is all about the thrill of finding out the truth about what happens. There are twists and turns in the end that most good thrillers have, and this film has them it’s just lacking that great original turn that I was waiting for. Thus, leaving it just short of greatness, while still entertaining the shit out of me in the theater.
So, do yourself a favor, don’t see 17 Again or even Crank: High Voltage. Go see a fine crime thriller and come out satisfied.
IMDB: N/A
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
Moviewiseguys: 7.5/10