Watching State of Play was the most tense I have been during a movie for a long time. Director Kevin McDonald uses all the tricks to keep you on the edge of your seat. Various camera angles, such as shooting from partially behind objects or from high angles, combine with fast music and cuts to make you think main characters are going to get shot any second.
Considering the casting problems the film endured before filming, where they lost both Brad Pitt and Ed Norton from the two staring roles, the film packs and amazing cast. Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck star, and are supported by Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels and even Jason Bateman makes a very memorable appearance. In a film made up of twist after twist, this cast makes you actually believe it and want to find out what happens next.
State of Play echoes Russell Crowe’s ‘The Insider’ in its examination of journalistic integrity, as well as mirroring the real-life challenge of established newspapers’ modern day battle for circulation against tabloid journalism. The privatization of the military has become a popular plot device for thriller novels recently, and is used here in great effect. It makes the villains scarier and more capable. The influence on media by big business is also touched upon.
This was a very enjoyable film, where I was constantly anxious. The cast lives up to its billing in my opinion, although the critical and box office reception must be considered a disappointment for such an ensemble. Both Crowe and Affleck seem to have vocal detractors, but if you are not one of them or you can overlook it for a movie, you should find State of Play an enjoyable film. It’s good fun.