State of Play
2009 Directed by Kevin Macdonald
Synopsis
Find The Truth
Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race. Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.
Cast
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Kevin Mcdonald's remake of the brilliant British tv series has it's flaws but manages to engage at an intellectual level missing from a lot of American remakes.
When a research assistant for a U.S congressman is killed under a sub-way train a labyrinthian conspiracy transpires. Although starring Russell Crowe,Ben Affleck,Rachel Mcadams and Helen (I definitely would) Mirren it has an almost indie feel to it. A great story and some fine acting make this a great film with believable connotations of what can happen when big business tampers with government agendas. Steeped in mystery and suspense this has you guessing right to the last minute as to the true nature of everyone's involvement. Although missing the wit of Bill Nighy from the original series this is a well made well paced thriller with fine performances all around. They even make Robin Wright Penn look respectable for once. Thrilling. -
It's a well known fact that State of Play was a very well-respected BBC thriller some years ago originally, but I chose to watch the inevitable Hollywood adaptation first. I didn't want to be clouded, fall in love with the original and come at this with the usual remake scepticism. It was a good choice as what we have here must surely be one of the better TV show-film adaptations in recent years, certainly of British TV to American movie. Heaps of talent before and behind the camera help to craft an intelligent, frequently tense and well-put-together conspiracy drama.
Two facts: I always love Russell Crowe in movies. And I can never stand Ben Affleck. Here, same as ever with…
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Watched this immediately after watching the original 6 part miniseries. Still good, but suffers a lot in comparison to the genius of the original.
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I've had State of Play in my DVD collection for nearly two years. Every time I would think about watching it I would instead pick something else. I've been putting off watching State of Play for one reason. I cannot stand Russell Crowe.
This film would of been a 3 and a half stars if it had anyone else but Russell Crowe in it. The rest of the cast is okay though Rachel McAdams character was annoying.
Without Crowe this could of been pretty good with him in it, its merely okay.
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Goed verhaal, weinig actie.
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Kevin McDonald's All The President's Men, chocked full of familiar faces. Better than I thought it would be, this film got buried in 2009. Interesting look behind the scenes of a newspaper company.
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An above-average thriller about the dying days of the newspaper.
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While I'm always annoyed a bit at movies which portray the press (especially newspapers) as so noble and important, there have been a few that I've really enjoyed (The Paper jumps to mind). Often it's all contingent on the cast. Originally this was to have starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton - a reteaming I would have loved to see - but after seeing the film, I'm not sure Pitt would have been right for it. He would have done fine, I'm sure, but it would certainly have been a different film. I didn't care much for Crowe early on - his look, his character... but he grew on me. And as the face of "new" journalism in the internet…
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Nice enough who-done-it film. Having a newspaper be the source of the investigation was a nice change from the usual. Russel Crowe and Rachel McAdams give good performances, even with Crowe's ridiculous hair. Overall the political intrigue wasn't enough to get me to care in the outcome.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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No where near as good as the TV series
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The second time around, it got better, I guess. When I saw it the first time, I was a huge fan of the British TV show, so that the movie version never satisfied me. This time, I was able to feel a bit generous. But Still!! Ben Affleck's acting is twice terrible. I truely believe that he should quit acting job altogether and just be a director. I mean, Argo could have been better if Ben Affleck weren't in it!
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Luckily I was told to concentrate on this one before I saw it, otherwise I'd probably have been completely lost. Even after 5 watches I still find myself engaged with the storyline and the diversity of the characters. Helen Mirren is great.
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I've had State of Play in my DVD collection for nearly two years. Every time I would think about watching it I would instead pick something else. I've been putting off watching State of Play for one reason. I cannot stand Russell Crowe.
This film would of been a 3 and a half stars if it had anyone else but Russell Crowe in it. The rest of the cast is okay though Rachel McAdams character was annoying.
Without Crowe this could of been pretty good with him in it, its merely okay.
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Never trust a movie that is advertised as having "a twist you'll never see coming."
My review: www.stopthepota.com/2009/04/state-of-play-2009-kevin-macdonald.html