State of Play

imdb Photos

Plot: Congressman Steve Collins' (Ben Affleck's) head researcher and mistress dies. Is it suicide? Is it murder? Drugs? Lust? Cover-up by Pointcorp (read Blackwater or Halliburton). Wily reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) and Washington Globe blogger Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) chase down leads as the suicide becomes linked to other deaths, and a supposed killer is identified. There was a big twist at the end. 

Review: The story is the star as Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams peck their way though a complicated police story as dogged reporters tracking down a criminal and then political story. The chemistry between Crowe and McAdams works. Helen Mirren steals the scenes she is in, and I really liked watching her tell off reporter  Cal or insulting rookie Frye. 

Crowe's performance is solid although he was a bit too crusty for me. McAdams and Affleck were OK, but not outstanding. This movie had more dramatic office scenes than chase scenes, with no car chases and just one fight scene.

The movie is a political thriller, but does not have a political or social message. It is just escapist entertainment. Perhaps it promotes newspaper reading. 

Cast and crew:
Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren; directed by Kevin Macdonald
Rating: 2.5 flasks
1/2

More:
Who named this move "State of Play" and why?  This forgettable title has no link to the story that I can figure out.