State of Play

Name: State of Play
Released: 2009-4-17
Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn

State of Play

PG-13
2h 6m
2009

84%

age 16+

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Academy Award®-winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast, including Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams & Helen Mirren in the gripping thriller about deception, manipulation & corruption. When D.C. Reporter Cal McCaffrey (Crowe) is assigned to investigate the murder of an assistant to an up-and-coming politician (Affleck), he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to bring down the nation’s power structures. In a town of spin-doctors and wealthy power brokers, he will discover one truth: when fortunes are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is safe. From director Kevin Macdonald of The Last King of Scotland, State of Play brings together strong performances, riveting suspense and is “sophisticated, intelligent and powerful” (Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV).

Director:

Kevin Macdonald

Producer:

Andrew Hauptman, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner

Writer:

Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Billy Ray

Cast:

Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels

Rotten Tomatoes® Score

TOMATOMETER®

84%

Critics Consensus: A taut, well-acted political thriller, State of Play overcomes some unsubtle plot twists with an intelligent script and swift direction.

Reviews

World Socialist Web Site

David Walsh

State of Play entertains, but every film genre, including the thriller, would be improved vastly by a more coherent and insightful grasp of the way society actually works.

Makes investigative journalism feel as exciting, dangerous, brutal, and immoral as political corruption and corporate espionage.

State of Play doesn't join the pantheon of great newspaper movies, but it is nevertheless an enthralling and intelligent thriller.

December 19, 2020

FULL REVIEW

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Matthew Lucas

A fine example of what studio filmmaking should be.

June 5, 2019

FULL REVIEW

Bowling Green Daily News

Micheal Compton

A smart and intriguing thriller that features a quality cast and some nice dramatic moments.

May 16, 2019

FULL REVIEW

Common Sense Media

age 16+

Common Sense Says

Mature, well-acted thriller mixes violence and politics.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Russell Crowe/Ben Affleck thriller is a mix of violence, political intrigue, and sexual innuendo -- all mature themes that are unlikely to appeal to young viewers. Characters steal, drink, smoke, and lie to the point where it's unclear who's the victim and who's the victimizer. There's some strong language (including a couple exclamations of "f--k"), drinking, and smoking as well. Sexuality is more discussed (including conversations about adultery and three-ways) than shown, except for some flirting between a couple of characters.