Rated PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.
Directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland)
Starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn
It took me almost two months to even put this DVD in my player… it was so worth the wait.
A petty thief is gunned down in an alley and a congressman's assistant falls in front of a subway – two seemingly unrelated deaths. But not to wisecracking, brash newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) who spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered. With a turbulent past connected to the congressman (Ben Affleck) and the aid of ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), Cal begins uprooting clues that lead him to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins. But as he draws closer to the truth, the relentless journalist must decide if it's worth risking his life and selling his soul to get the ultimate story.
Based on a six-hour BBC miniseries, this version of State of Play keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing to the end. And no worries, no spoilers here. I will say this, director Kevin Macdonald maintains a quick pace that is filled with more action and twists then I ever expected.
I’m not even kidding when I say this Blue-Ray sat by my TV for over two months… I’m so not proud of that. I knew it was going to be smart and I knew I was going to have to follow it… no naps during this one. So night after night after the kids were in bed, my wife and I debated it… each and every time we decided, “not tonight.” So once the stars aligned (meaning I wasn’t completely wiped out), we gave it a shot. I’m so mad we waited so long.
In addition to Affleck, the well-cast politician, there's Russell Crowe who is perfect as the as the truth-seeking reporter with strong personal ties to the congressman. Finally Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn round out a truly great cast. One of the many surprises was Jason Bateman (one of my favorites) as a flamboyant publicist who figures into the mystery. I totally missed his name on the coverbox and opening credits.
The only real negative is that the last 20 minutes feels so rushed to tie up all the loose ends that the ending felt too much like a letdown. It wasn’t, but it felt like it.
State of Play is a smart, complex drama that is so well constructed and so well acted that you have to see it.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The PG-13 rating for violence, language, and drug content is a good rating. There are no sex scenes or nudity, but the subject matter is certainly not appropriate for children.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
