Publish And Be Damned (State of Play (DVD))

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	State of Play (DVD)
Date:	04/06/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent political thriller

Disadvantages: Not a lot!

FILM REVIEW ONLY
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State of Play is a movie about the modern newspaper industry and the crisis it finds itself in as it faces more and more competition from online news services.

An Irish/ American journalist Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) is faced with a personal and professional crisis when his best friend, politician Stephen Collins (Ben Afflick) is involved in a suspicious death which embroils him in personal scandal and also threatens the well being of a large corporation.

The film was based on a relatively successful UK mini-series of the same name from 2003, and is directed by the award-winning Scots director Kevin Macdonald whose last movie "The Last King of Scotland", won him various awards. With State of Play he keeps the viewer riveted to the screen right from the opening sequences, and tackles topical subjects like political and corporate corruption and the printed newspaper versus online media debate very successfully.

Russell Crowe is arguably one of the best Hollywood actors of his generation, and once again he gives a masterful performance as troubled investigative journalist McAffrey. When he bends the rules to help his friend Collins he incurs the wrath of his editor Cameron Lynne, superbly played by British actress Helen Mirren in what is a very strong female lead role.

Ben Affleck as Collins is almost unrecognizable as the rather bland actor he was in danger of becoming a few years back.

The film is a thriller of the first order with as many twists and turns as a fairground rollercoaster, and will keep you guessing almost to the final credits.

In my opinion, the best newspaper movie since "All The President's Men" way back in 1976.

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Director: Kevin Macdonald

Starring: Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman.

Duration: 127 minutes

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Summary: Not to be missed