State of Play (Universal Pictures)
Almost Great!
State of Play is the kickoff for the serious films of 2009. We have had blockbusters like Paul Blart, Monsters vs. Aliens and Hannah Montana but nothing Academy Award worthy as a serious drama until now. This mystery/thriller which stars Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck and others is on the verge of greatness. It doesnt topple over into this status due to one bit of miscasting and a retreaded plot issue, but it is still an entertaining and worth watching film.
Crowe plays Cal McAffrey, a reporter for a Washington DC newspaper. Mirren plays his editor/publisher Cameron Lynne and McAdams is Della Frye, a rising writer for the papers Blog. The film starts with three quick deaths. Two are on the streets of Washington and the third is a young woman whop either jumped or was pushed in front of a subway train.
The young woman who died (Maria Thayer) worked for Congressman Stephen Collins (Affleck). It is soon revealed they had more than a working relationship. Also muddying the water is the fact that Cal was Collins college roommate and also had a brief affair with Collins wife Anne (Robin Wright Penn).
One of the key points in the plot of this movie is the involvement of a civilian agency that has been contracted by the military to do protective work. Collins is investigating this company and it is thought perhaps they could be behind the killings which are all related. This dark and ominous Haliburton type agency has been done to perfection by this years season of 24 and this diminishes its impact as a plot point in this film.
Crowe is at his best as the investigative reporter who has a conflict of interest because of his relationship with the Congressman and his wife. Long haired and portly, Crowe makes Cal a fully developed character who the audience likes. Mirren and McAdams also shine in their respective roles.
Still the movie is almost stolen by two of the supporting players. Jason Bateman is an amoral and ambitious go to guy. His few scenes in the film are riveting. Then there is Robin Wright Penn as Afflecks long-suffering wife. She has a weariness about her that spills off the screen. Hers is a performance that remains with you after the film has ended.
At the other end of the scale is Affleck. He hits all the right notes as the Congressman but they just dont resonate in the way they should. There is something off kilter about his performance and it just doesnt fit in with those of the other actors.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
State of Play is enjoyable and satisfying from start to finish. It would be on the list of great films were it not for the already done Haliburton type plot idea, and the less than great performance by Affleck. Everything else is top notch.
I scored State of Play a game on 7 out of 10.
