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State of Play. |
State of Play, Exeter Odeon
Cert 12A, 127 minutes
By Graham Taylor
When Brad Pitt and Edward Norton pulled out of filming at the last minute, it looked like State of Play was set to be canned completely.
Director, Kevin McDonald, had other ideas, and wisely replaced the former lead stars with Rusell Crowe and Ben Affleck, and bringing together a vast array of well known and respected script writers, to make this an edgy, old fashioned conspiracy thriller.
Crowe plays Cal McAffery, a down on his luck, hard drinking journalist, who delves head first into a new case involving former college room mate, now congressman, Stephen Collins (Affleck), who’s leading reaserch assistant, and supposed mistress, Sonia Baker, was killed in a train accident.
When McAffery’s ruthless, tough talking boss, Cameron (Helen Mirron, playing a role similar to her most famous performance, Tennison, in Prime Suspect) assigns him to dig as much dirt from an already filthy past about Collins’.
The troubled reporter tries to help his friend, as well as discover the reason behind his young mistress’ death.
Along with the help of rising web blogger, Della Frye (a consistent Rachel McAdams), the two learn the truth behind this messy case, with many twists, turns and shocks along the way.
Based on the hugely popular BBC television series, State of Play is very enjoyable, mainly for the fantastic plot and polished performances.
Although Crowe’s portrayal of McAffery isn’t so appealing, he makes the character believable and endearing as the struggling loner, caught between his work and his frienship with Collins.
There’s also the added stress of trying to fend off Collins’ lonely wife, Anne (an underused Robin Wright Penn), despite his own feelings for her.
Affleck has constently had problems with his choices of film roles, but recently, he seems to be making the right decisions, and he is spot on as the clean cut politican with more than a few skeletons in his closet.
Rachel McAdams has never had problems with choosing her roles, and once again she proves what a versatile actress she is. Her role as young Della Frye is superb, and I can not wait to see her next performances in the eagerly anticipated The Time Traveller’s Wife and the Guy Richie directed Sherlock Holmes .
The script is very thorough and detailed, although some of the lines given to Mirren seem ridiculous. What posh, british woman calls someone a geezer? The only thing they seem to make Mirren’s character do is shout and swear a lot.
Luckily, Mirren herself is such a wonderful actress, she gives a brilliant depth to Cameron, showing a vulnerability when this story becomes one huge conspiracy.
McDonald’s direction is powerful, bringing this gloomy, dark world to life. The hide and seek death game is phenomenally well done, although this direction isn’t as good as McDonald’s last directional hit, The Last King of Scotland.
My only criticism of the film would be that the ending is wrapped up too quickly, without enough explanation. The relationship between McAffery and Anne Collins isn’t given an ending, and you never find out exactly how she knew the biggest detail of the film (which I can’t reveal.)
Despite having some plot lines missed out (this was a six hour programme originally, so it’s understandable) this is a classy, and well paced thriller that is a fantastic watch.
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