Thanks for checking out our State of Play review. If you’d like to see a video version of our State of Play review you can view it at the bottom of the written review.
I never make any secret about it. I believe, without question, not even close, Russell Crowe is the very best actor on the planet today. No one else (aside from Daniel Day-Lewis) is even in the same league as this guy right now. His pure range and diversity put him in another class than anyone else working in the business today. I’ve also always contended that Ben Affleck is a very underrated actor as well… he just does some terrible shit sometimes, but when you see him in films like Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy or Changing Lanes, you see he’s got it. And who doesn’t love good political mystery thrillers? All together State of Play was a movie I just had to see. And I’m very glad i did.
THE GENERAL IDEA
The synopsis for State of Play reads something like this: “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 who spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered. With a turbulent past connected to the Congressman and the aid of ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye, 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 selling his soul to get the ultimate story.”
THE GOOD
I sound like a bloody broken record, but holy crap Russell Crowe just flat out amazes me every single time he’s on screen, and his performance in State of Play is no exception. But it’s not just Crowe. Affleck is terrific in this. As always Helen Mirren (The Queen) is awesome, even Rachel McAdams does a bang up job. I was even surprised to see Princess Buttercup herself (Robin Wright Penn) in the movie and completely sell me on her character. All the acting in the film is brilliant, which I believe is a testament to the direction of Kevin Macdonald (who also directed Forest Whitaker in his Oscar winning performance in The Last King of Scotland).
This is just me… but I really appreciated the distinction that the film makes between bloggers and journalists. Bloggers, these movie website guys who calls themselves “journalists” really irritate me. In the film Russell Crowe plays a newspaper reporter. A REAL journalist. You know, someone who actually tracks down leads, breaks stories, does massive amounts of research, hits the pavement, talks to multiple sources… a journalist. Then, Rachel McAdams plays a blogger. You know, someone who just reads what someone else already reported, regurgitates it on her website and adds her spin and opinion on it. THERE IS A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO and the movie goes out of it’s way to hammer that home. I LOVE that it does that. I’m blogger, and there’s nothing wrong with that… but I’m not a journalist, and neither is any other movie website guy you read out there, no matter if they say they are or not. PERIOD.
The mystery of the film was revealed at a fantastic pace. Not a FAST pace. They told the story in such a way that they timed each revelation perfectly, keeping you as the audience member engaged. They never rushed it, it never felt dragged and the audience never felt lost either. Once again, a testament to the direction of Kevin Macdonald.
THE BAD
My one major problem with State of Play is that as a political mystery thriller, it does feel a little formulaic, and although the film is done VERY well, I feel like I’ve seen it before for most of it. Big bad corporation using it’s power to get and do whatever it wants to make sure it keeps all its money and power. Maybe even kill people! GASP!!!! In thqt sense it felt like just about every John Grisham adapted movie.
I was not a fan of the ending of the film. To me it leaves a few holes in the plot left open and it just didn’t feel satisfying to me.
OVERALL
State of Play is a brilliantly acted, well told political thriller that brings you along for the ride and keeps you engaged throughout the film. The overall story does feel a bit formulaic and I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, but the movie is strong enough to easily overcome those shortcomings. Overall I give State Of Play an 8 out of 10.
