State of Play (Film Review)

State of Play

Sam Barnett Ryan McDermott

State of Play delivers an entertaining two hours in and features enthralling performances from Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams. The movie starts with Russell Crowe’s character Cal McAffery, a writer for the Washington Globe following the murder of a small time criminal and the attempted murder of a by stander. McAffery is a traditional journalist who enjoys, “ink on his hands” and also has a working relationship with his police contacts which offer, confidential information on the murder. Later in the film a young political researcher dies in, (seemingly) a subway accident.
Capitol Hill reins down and McAffery is forced into the affair due to his affiliation with Collins a friend from college. Political blogger McAdam, (Della Frye), incites fury in McAffrey due to the lack of checks and research that goes in to her work. McAffery takes Frye under his wing to show her how to find the real story and clear the name of his old friend.”
Russell Crowe is exceptional in the film carrying its passion and charge. The Oscar winning actor delivers a charming performance that’s filled with heart and soul. The Australian star portrays the character lacking in vanity with long greasy hair perfectly, it’s almost as if he’s playing the tabloid version of himself.
Affleck complements his role well also. Although the character could have been expanded, this is probably the downside of making a film adapted from a six hour series. Rachael McAdams comes well as the enviro-blogger who is groomed by Crowe to become “an old fashioned newspaper man.” The pair has great chemistry and they might have even gotten a sequel out of this film if not for the poor figures at the Box Office.
The major let down in the film is Helen Mirren. For an Oscar winning actress she just doesn’t show any passion, her concept of the role of an editor is to recite lines like “you’ve got a deadline.” Mirren appears insecure and out of place, which is confusing considering that the younger stars are so good.
Although the movie relies a little on coincidences it is still a top drawer movie worthy of critical acclaim. State of Play is so entertaining because it has a solid story and some great acting. If you are after Hollywood filmmaking at its purest then don’t waste a minute, go see this film.