State of Play – 2009

June 30, 2010 by JT
Filed under Film Reviews

State of Play is a fast moving thriller that starts well from the get go, once you put aside the on screen pairing of Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck the film develops well at a solid rate. It’s no surprise really as the screenplay was penned by Tony Gilroy a man with an experienced history of writing exceptional thrillers, the Bourne trilogy, Michael Clayton and Proof of Life to name a few.

Crowe plays Cal McAffrey a seasoned crime reporter for the Washington Globe, surrounded by a mass of past articles and papers, he works tirelessly on an archaic computer while others around him move with the times and the technology.

When his long time college friend and Republican Stephen Collins (Affleck) is implicated in the death of an intern, McAffery must tread the line between loyalty to his friend or the truth that lies within.

Many conspiracy thrillers tend to over complicate the plot by throwing in so many different characters and organizations that it becomes almost impossible to follow, State of Play is by far easier to grasp and it flows smoothly like a politicians hair cut. Crowe and Affleck are an odd couple to put on screen and although we are lead to believe that their characters go way back reality suggests that this is not so and it doesn’t convey itself well either.

Affleck cuts a suave figure on screen but he is overshadowed by Crowes hippy style journalist. We wonder if the film would have been much different if director Kevin McDonald’s original pairing of Brad Pitt and Ed Norton had taken centre stage. Certainly there would have been a lot more on screen chemistry.

Crowe and Affleck are lucky to have had a good supporting cast including Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams as the over eager newbie journalist who shares the spoils with McAffrey, Jason Bateman makes an appearance as a rather slimy PR executive with great effect.

It’s not a bad film by any means and should be an enjoyable watch for those who love this genre, just don’t expect too much from the main pair!

View the trailer