Directed by: Kevin MacDonald
Premise: A
seasoned newspaper reporter (Russell Crowe) joins with a blogger (Rachel
McAdams) to investigate the mysterious death of the lead staff member to an up
and coming congressman (Ben Affleck). As the plot unfolds, the reporters
discover links between the victim and an independent defense contractor being
investigated by congress.
What Works: State of Play is an intelligent
thriller with some very good casting and a well-conceived mystery that uses lots
of ethical problems, integrating them into the story in ways that complicate the
mystery and the characters attempts to uncover it. The film raises lots of
ethical questions for creators and consumers of news as the reporters, played by
Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams, constantly flirt with the line between
investigative reporting and obstruction of justice. The congressman played by
Ben Affleck faces an identity crisis as his inquiry into corruption is derailed
when his affair with the now dead staff woman is exposed. Helen Mirren is very
effective in a supporting role as the newspaper’s editor in chief who is
forced to choose between journalistic integrity and running gossip pieces that
will sell newspapers. Aside from the ethical wrangling, State of Play is
a bit of an ode (or eulogy) for the traditional newspaper. The film casts a very
affectionate gaze on the institution of the newspaper and the role it plays as
the fourth estate and the final scenes in the film of newspapers being printed,
bundled, and delivered is a melancholy tribute to the journalistic
establishment.
What Doesn’t: The ending of the film risks
getting confusing as it moves very fast through a lot of material. Viewers who
pay attention should be able to piece it together just fine but State of Play does not lend itself to passive viewing.
Bottom Line: State of Play is a fine thriller and a smart investigative story. The performances are terrific and the story is tight but also manages to get into some substance beyond the who-done-it of the mystery.