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Amazon.co.uk Review
Taking the excellent BBC mini-series of the same name as its starting point, State Of Play is a terrific political thriller, and one of the most intelligent blockbusters to come out of Hollywood in some time.
Transplanting the story from Britain to America, State Of Play finds Russell Crowe taking on the role of Washington reporter Cal McCaffrey (played by John Simm in the original mini-series), and he starts to look into a mysterious series of murders. One such murder is that of Congressman Stephen Collins’ researcher, and with the backing of his editor (played by Helen Mirren), McCaffrey starts poking his nose into some increasingly dangerous business.
Directed with consummate skill by Kevin McDonald (who last helmed The Last King Of Scotland), State Of Play is a twisting, terrifically written thriller that benefits enormously from the strength of its cast. Both Crowe and Mirren are on excellent form here, but plaudits must also go to Ben Affleck as Collins, as well as Rachel McAdams as McCaffrey’s co-reporter.
Does it beat the miniseries on which it’s based? It does as fine a job as you could ever possibly expect, taking a six-episode television programme and distilling it into a compelling two-hour Hollywood thriller. State Of Play, in whatever form you catch it, is some piece of work. And the movie version? It’s one of the finest mainstream releases of the year. --Jon Foster
DVD Description
Oscar winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in State of Play, a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures, in State of Play, from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).
Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his political party: an honourable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defence spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race, until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.
McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar winner Helen Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer's identity, McCaffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation's power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicians, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is ever safe.
Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his political party: an honourable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defence spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race, until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.
McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar winner Helen Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer's identity, McCaffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation's power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicians, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is ever safe.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Thriller,
By E. A. Redfearn "eredfearn2" (Middlesbrough) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: State of Play [Blu-ray][Region Free] (Blu-ray)
Not having seen the British version of this political/murder thriller I wasnt quite sure what to expect. Recommended to me by a relative, and being a fan of Helen Mirren, I went and bought it anyway.I found the storyline quite absorbing, and was glad that it wasn't padded out; this 2 hour movie being about the right length. There is no need for me to spell out the plot and the storyline since it has already been covered here. All I need to say is that Russell Crowe steals the movie like he usually does, ably supported by the lovely Rachel McAdams(who is very good, by the way) Ben Affleck who plays a politician with a dubious background, and of course, that wonderful actress Helen Mirren. My only criticism is that the ending seems rather rushed but like I explained earlier, it isn't padded out. The Blu-Ray disc is very good, with great picture and a surround soundtrack which will test any good home cinema system. Moreover, the extras are just enough to keep the viewer absorbed for a couple of hours (unlike the extras on the Blu-Ray Gladiator which run for more than 10 hours) with picture in picture format; BD Live; deleted scenes; The Making of State of Play; and Washington DC Locations. If you like Murder/Political thrillers, then you won't go far wrong with this. Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just following the crumbs can be murder.,
By Spike Owen "John Rouse Merriott Chard" (Birmingham, England.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)
This review is from: State Of Play [DVD] (DVD)
When a bag snatching thief is gunned down in an alley and a Congressman's lady assistant falls victim to an apparent subway train suicide-both deaths seem a world apart. But as old fashioned ink reporter Cal McAffrey and his savvy, moving with the times assistant, Della Frye, search the story, they unearth sinister clues that take them into a murky world of cover-ups and political intrigue.There has become a tendency in recent years to neglect the type of film that has no hi-tech thrills or indie histrionics as its selling points. Search down a number of critic avenues about State Of Play and you find words such as solid, safe and reliable, words that on the face of it, are faint praise. It's almost as if this type of intelligent and tightly written thriller has no right to be considered a leading light in modern Hollywood. Which of course is foolhardy and very wrong since State Of Play is one of the best films of 2009. Based on a critical darling BBC series written by Paul Abbott, State Of Play had a trouble beginning. Both Brad Pitt and Edward Norton bailed from the project, Pitt literally at the last minute, thus leading one to think that it was a project doomed to failure. Into their places came Russell Crowe (McAffrey) and Ben Affleck (congressman Stephen Collins). Both men on something of a rebuilding curve with their respective careers. With both men doing quite excellent work; even if the one failing in the film is accepting that these two guys were actual room mates back in the higher education days. The piece is further boosted by the reassuring presence of Helen Mirren as McAffrey's boss, Cameron Lynne, while Rachel McAdams (Frye), Robin Wright Penn (Anne Collins), Jeff Daniels (Rep. George Fergus) and Jason Bateman (Dominic Foy) all impact greatly as the intricate strands get threaded together. So a throwback to good honest mystery/thriller cinema of yore then? You betcha. Engrossing from start to finish and containing characters rich with interesting peccadilloes: State Of Play is a must see for those growing tired of style over substance cinema. 9/10
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
State of Play,
By
This review is from: State Of Play [DVD] (DVD)
The PlotFollowing the death of a young Washington intern, crime reporter Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) gets caught up in the murky world of politics and big business. The Review At the time of broadcast, the original BBC series State of Play was critically acclaimed and has remained one of the best pieces of television this decade. For the big screen transfer, London becomes Washington, an oil company becomes a private security firm and Bill Nighy (somehow) becomes Helen Mirren. The story has also been updated to reflect issues such as the battle' between old and new journalism and the influence of media conglomerates over news agendas. Russell Crowe is well suited to the role of slobby journalist Cal McCaffrey, with his straggly hair and expanding waistline; much more so than Bard Pitt, the original occupant of the role. Ben Affleck is slightly stilted as the chisel-jawed Congress, but he was another late entry, replacing Ed Norton. Furthermore, although both are meant to be old college friends, there is very little chemistry between the two, which thus distracts from the morale quandary Cal finds himself in. There are well written roles for the two lead females, Rachel McAdams as journalist 2.0 and Helen Mirren as the ball-breaking editor, although at times, the roles do feel slightly clichéd. Last King of Scotland helmer Kevin MacDonald does struggle though with his first big Hollywood film. For a political thriller, there isn't much thrilling about it, and when the action finally does come, it feels forced, as if it has been inserted to fill an `action quota'. Also, the final twist at the end of the film feels tagged on just for the sake of having it there. The Verdict Despite strong performances, the watered down State of Play is a political thriller strangely lacking in thrills.
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