State of Play - 3 smiles

The screenwriters for “State of Play,” Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Billy Ray, do a remarkable job of condensing a nine-hour miniseries into a two-hour movie that results in something that is both coherent and engrossing. There’s no doubt that there are plot holes and questions left unanswered; however, the story unfolds with enough urgency and suspense to keep viewers involved. D.C. reporter Cal McAffrey’s (Russell Crowe) street smarts leads him to connect two unrelated murders and uncover collusion among some of the nation’s prominent political and corporate figures. McAffrey’s friend, U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck), chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending, is his party’s rising young star until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and his secrets become headline news. As McAffrey and partner Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer’s identity, they discover a cover-up that not only threatens their lives but also threatens to shake up the power structure in the nation’s capitol.

“State of Play” boasts strong performances by its stellar cast. Crowe turns in a predictably convincing performance and his scenes with Rachel McAdams are punched up by their on-screen chemistry. Ben Affleck takes on the role originally given to Brad Pitt and his good looks and passion about politics makes him an affective congressman. Also compelling are Helen Mirren (McAffrey’s editor), Jeff Daniels (a politician who may hold crucial evidence) and Jason Bateman (a slimy player on the periphery of power). And it’s clear that this movie wants you to consider who is playing whom? “State of Play” is an intelligent movie that requires its audience to think. What a novel concept. 4/18/09