When you see "State of Play" (and you should) do NOT miss the opening scene. It's a breathtaking action sequence that, even if it doesn't make much sense at the time, sets up the entire plot. But more than anything, it's simply great filmmaking.
Director Kevin Macdonald ("The Last King of Scotland") hired a trio of great screenwriters - including Tony Gilroy, who wrote and directed the recent "Duplicity" - to adapt the 2003 hit BBC miniseries that clocked in at six hours. The condensation makes for a quick pace and some confusing moments, the deletion of some characters and a change of venue to Washington, D.C.
"State of Play" is a political/journalistic thriller in the tradition of "All the President's Men." Other films in the genre range from "The Front Page," "His Girl Friday" and "Ace in the Hole."
And this film comes along at a time when a lot of newspapers are in trouble, losing circulation to online news. The political angle is up-to-the-minute as well, and it centers on an investigation into a defense contracting company with government ties and an air of arrogance and corruption. Think Halliburton or Blackwater.
Ben Affleck (not in the lead role but a pivotal character) is U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins. He's heading a committee investigating a company known as PointCorp, a mercenary sort of affair that is looking to get a lucrative contract if the government privatizes the Department of Homeland Security. PointCorp already has a reputation for being rather megalomaniacal based on its actions in the Iraqi war. Collins and others on the Hill think there is more than a bit of chicanery at play, and he's making a political career for himself by heading the investigation.
A major monkey wrench is thrown into the works when Collins' lead researcher commits suicide by throwing herself in front of a train. To make matters worse, the tabloids get wind of the fact that Collins - a married man - and the woman were having an affair. The hearings and Collins' political career are on the brink of ruin.
Russell Crowe is Cal McAffrey, an old-school investigative reporter who works for The Washington Globe. He and Collins were roommates in college, still friends and have other connections, including Collins' wife, Anne (Robin Wright Penn).
Cal is investigating two murders (shown in the wham-bam opening scene) and finds a connection between one of the victims and the congressman's assistant. This sets the main plot - which is deep but not contrived ¬- into play.
The Globe has just been purchased by a huge media conglomerate. The paper's editor is Cameron Lynne, played with the class and force that Helen Mirren brings to every role. She is under pressure from the new owners who believe celebrity gossip sells more papers than great journalism, and she passes the pressure on to Cal. The two obviously respect each other and realize they are a dying breed, but the tension between reporter and editor is part of this kind of film's formula.
Lynne pairs Cal with Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), a young female reporter who blogs for The Globe. Blogging is, after all, the wave of the future. Cal, who is constantly scribbling notes, is nonplussed by the fact that Frye doesn't seem to even own a pen.
The two eventually become compatible colleagues (as we knew they would) but in a refreshing change, there' s never any romantic or sexual tension between them. The tension arises from their journalistic styles.
As the tabloids begin releasing more and more copy relating to the incidents at hand, Lynne decides they have to go to press with what Cal and Della have uncovered so far. Cal, still loyal to his friend the congressman - and with a nose for news as the expression goes - believes in his soul there is more to this story than what's on the surface.
He is right, and the third act starts tying things together, leading the reporters and audience down various paths, and eventually the truth comes to the fore.
I have not seen the original British miniseries but am seeking it out after seeing the theatrical version of "State of Play." It is an entertaining thriller that is well written, tautly directed and has a cast that delivers the goods. It's a movie lover's movie without a dull moment.
Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.
