Spring Break
'State of Play' an intriguing thriller
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Focus
In a world in which the power of the news is coming more from a computer screen than a "newspaper," the film "State of Play" offers an interesting commentary on the dying business of newspapers and the world weary lives of the men and women involved in such a cutthroat, dangerous yet noble business as the film depicts.
In a world in which online bloggers are referred to as "bloodsuckers" and newspaper investors seem to be more interested in sensational stories rather than ones with integrity, "State of Play" plays with the concepts of the newspaper industry in our society while also providing a top-notch story sure to entertain as well as make you think.
The political thriller starts with a Congressman's assistant falling in front of a subway train which evolves into a full-fledged conspiracy about a corrupt company's coverup that the world-weary, old-fashioned Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffery (played by Russell Crowe) is aiming to reveal to the world.
But the film's plot, as promising as it is in the beginning, begins to feel jam-packed toward the middle of the film, and not in a good way.
There seem to be too many subplots in the film that do not drive the film forward; rather they just try to elaborate on characters such as Cal and Ann, the senator's distressed wife (a subtle and under utilized Robin Wright Penn), who are perfectly defined and relatable characters anyway. One of the reasons for this condensed feeling of the film is that it is based on a 2003 BBC miniseries of the same name.
While the original version of "State of Play" was 6 hours, the plot of this 2-hour version feels bit out of place. The ending also seems incongruous. Though it is totally unexpected, it seems to diminish both the film and its main characters, showing that friendship sometimes may be put by the wayside to business.
This does not mean that the characters of this political piece are not enjoyable to watch. On the contrary, this film brings out some of the liveliest performances of the year with some top-notch talent from lead and supporting characters alike. Though the roles are stereotypical portrayals of the newspaper business, including the hard as nails Editor-In-Chief Cameron (played brilliantly by Helen Mirren), the anxious to prove herself blogger Della Frye (played by a charming Rachel McAdams) and the philandering politician Congressman Collins (played with reserve by Ben Affleck), just to name a few.
The way in which the actors interact is also refreshing to see. There is no budding romance between the reporters Della and Cal; their relationship seems to be always professional with just a little bit of butting heads mentality added for spice. The relationship between Cal and Congressman Collins, old college roommates, also seems to be a main theme of the film. Does the integrity of the news come before the integrity of a friendship? The film presents the viewer with one conclusion but leaves the viewer asking, "was it the right choice to make?" Though that's up for discussion, the fact that "State of Play" is a great thriller, in tune with the times of newspaper politics, wars and integrity in politics, is not.
In a world in which online bloggers are referred to as "bloodsuckers" and newspaper investors seem to be more interested in sensational stories rather than ones with integrity, "State of Play" plays with the concepts of the newspaper industry in our society while also providing a top-notch story sure to entertain as well as make you think.
The political thriller starts with a Congressman's assistant falling in front of a subway train which evolves into a full-fledged conspiracy about a corrupt company's coverup that the world-weary, old-fashioned Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffery (played by Russell Crowe) is aiming to reveal to the world.
But the film's plot, as promising as it is in the beginning, begins to feel jam-packed toward the middle of the film, and not in a good way.
There seem to be too many subplots in the film that do not drive the film forward; rather they just try to elaborate on characters such as Cal and Ann, the senator's distressed wife (a subtle and under utilized Robin Wright Penn), who are perfectly defined and relatable characters anyway. One of the reasons for this condensed feeling of the film is that it is based on a 2003 BBC miniseries of the same name.
While the original version of "State of Play" was 6 hours, the plot of this 2-hour version feels bit out of place. The ending also seems incongruous. Though it is totally unexpected, it seems to diminish both the film and its main characters, showing that friendship sometimes may be put by the wayside to business.
This does not mean that the characters of this political piece are not enjoyable to watch. On the contrary, this film brings out some of the liveliest performances of the year with some top-notch talent from lead and supporting characters alike. Though the roles are stereotypical portrayals of the newspaper business, including the hard as nails Editor-In-Chief Cameron (played brilliantly by Helen Mirren), the anxious to prove herself blogger Della Frye (played by a charming Rachel McAdams) and the philandering politician Congressman Collins (played with reserve by Ben Affleck), just to name a few.
The way in which the actors interact is also refreshing to see. There is no budding romance between the reporters Della and Cal; their relationship seems to be always professional with just a little bit of butting heads mentality added for spice. The relationship between Cal and Congressman Collins, old college roommates, also seems to be a main theme of the film. Does the integrity of the news come before the integrity of a friendship? The film presents the viewer with one conclusion but leaves the viewer asking, "was it the right choice to make?" Though that's up for discussion, the fact that "State of Play" is a great thriller, in tune with the times of newspaper politics, wars and integrity in politics, is not.
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