Movie Review - “State of Play”

REVIEW: We went to this movie because we like Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. Though I thought the movie got off to a terrific start, however, the longer it goes on the more knotted and confusing it gets and it never seems to recapture the excitement and dramatic velocity drama of the opening scenes. In fact, if it wasn’t for Russell Crowe, who brings heft and energy to his performance as the investigative reporter, I think it would have been a total flop. Even though by the end we both felt that it was kind of a let-down, it was still a satisfactory afternoon’s entertainment. I guess we just expected more. We give it [3-Stars].


SYNOPSIS: D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey untangles a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation’s most promising political and corporate figures. 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. McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron, who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della try to uncover the killer’s identity, McCaffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation’s power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is ever safe.