trials & tribulations of a restless mind

State of Play: Mini Movie Review May 4, 2009

Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren

Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Billy Ray, Paul Abbott

Director: Kevin Mcdonald

Synopsis: A reporter is on a mission to uncover the truth and conspiracies when the personal assistant of his friend, a Congressman who is investigating a controversial deal with a military defence contractor dies. He will have to make sure not to mix friendship and personal gratification as a reporter with the pursuit of the truth, however uncompromising it could be. His work is not made any easier by the fact that the powers at play are not to be taken lightly.

Positives:

• Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) is absolutely magnificent as the reporter who risks his own life to try to get to the crux of the matter.

• Ben Affleck (Daredevil, Pearl Harbour) may surprise a lot of people with his impressive performance as Congressman Collins.

• Helen Mirren (The Queen) needs no introduction and duly delivers as the no-nonsense foul-mouthed Editor of the Washington Globe, Crowe’s boss. Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, Mean Girls) takes on a new kind of role and does not disappoint as the assistant to Crowe.

• Plot is engaging till the end, generating interest throughout.

Negatives:

• With an even stronger cast and director, this could have been the film of the year.

Final Verdict: Adapted from a successful BBC mini series of the same name, this is an absolute must-see. This is a pure classic thriller at its best, with actors on top of their game and a compelling storyline. There is no amazing CGI special effects, no over-the-top action with S.W.A.T teams breaking into compounds: It does not need any of those. If you still need more reasons to watch it, here is one: Russell Crowe. Enjoy it!

Movie Rating: 4 out of 5