STATE OF PLAY IS A GREAT RIDE
There is nothing quite like a good political thriller but unfortunately we don't get many good ones these days. In fact over the last few years I cant think of any genre that has become known for "falling short" more than the Hollywood Political Thriller. Finally we got one that doesn't Fall Short. In fact it rises above any political thriller in recent years.
Scandal, murder, mystery, and conspiracy all mix together perfectly in this nice story that comes directly from a BBC television mini-series of the same name. The mini series had 6 hours to tell the story. This film had to do it in 2 hours and 7 minutes. Now usually when you see source material being condensed you feel cheated and like you missed something. That was my first concern with this film. I was fortunately wrong to worry. Director Kevin Mcdonald weaves a nice tale that is a BABY BEAR film. For those not familiar with my ratings of time of film a BABY BEAR film is just right. It's not too long like papa Bear or too short like Mama Bear. Nope this one is just right.
Also just right is Russell Crowe. This film joins LA Confidential, and Cinderella Man's the only two Russell Crowe films where I didn't feel I was watching Russell Crowe on Screen. In fact you forget it's Russell Crowe. He is Cal Macaffrey the journalist from the fictional Washington Globe who is believer in the old style of providing news to the public. He is a guy that feels you don't get the news unless you have newspaper ink on your fingers. Rachel McAdams plays Della Frye who is the writer of a political blog and the biggest star for the papers new media division that Macaffrey despises. The two are tied together after a Congressman Stephen Collins assistant is found dead. Collins is played by Ben Affleck who again shines in a Large supporting role. Collins and Macaffrey were college roommate's and that's the reason why new school Della Frye and old school Cal Macaffrey meet and end up attempting to break a conspiracy that is scarily too close for comfort in today's world.
It is a fun ride watching as little pieces of the puzzle come together for the reporters who are wondering themselves if their job is too find the story or the truth.
The less details you know the better your enjoyment of this story will be. This film has fantastic supporting cast performance's with Jason Bateman shining in a little more than a cameo role, Robin Wright Penn playing the wife of Congressman Collins who knows Cal from school, Helen Mirren who is great as always as the Editor of the Globe and Jeff Daniels as the Majority Whip who advises Collins after scandal breaks out.
This movie is a good watch. Slightly predictable story doesn't take away from the superb acting and good plot. Crowe, Affleck and Bateman are worth the money too.
If you want a good movie that takes you on a trip while watching the characters unravel the details of the mystery WATCH THIS FILM. I give is 4 out of 5.
SO GO SEE STATE OF PLAY.
REVIEW BY RAY LYTLE
