STATE OF PLAY

Movie Review #8: State of Play
(DVD release date: 08/04/09)

Directed by: Kevin Macdonald, Rated PG-13
Reviewer Rating: A

This was an extremely well done movie. To date this year, I've watched two new Russell Crowe movies, Body of Lies and State of Play, and both, while in a very similar genre (drama/action), were extremely satisfying films.

The plot, through all of the scathing criticisms (spoken in dialogue or quietly implied) of the federal government's political system and acts which impact the world at large, is really a classic who-dun-it. This is extremely refreshing. What is also refreshing is Ben Affleck who seems to have reinvigorated his career with this film. It's now way past the point that he got done making silly romantic comedies and such (was that the last decade) and lower-rated action thrillers and started working again on some serious material (like Good Will Hunting). And as much as many people dislike Ben Affleck, I, personally, have always sort of rooted for him because I remember watching the Academy Awards the night that he and Matt Damon won the Oscar for that movie.

Then of course you have Helen Mirren and Jeff Daniels in a movie, and I really can't pass up movies with Jeff Daniels. Except for Dumb & Dumber. I have no time for that movie. Why, Jeff Daniels, WHY?

The other subject that this film examines is behind-the-scenes at the source of media writing. I adore Russell Crowe's character as nostalgic for quality writing and him being upset at Rachel McAdams' and her silly blog-like column in the paper, but what I really like more is the implied depression her character is in at being stuck in such lame, lame stories. That idea really kicks in to high gear when you think about all of the things the media obsesses about and about how little those items really mean.

I love the lines "that's wrath of God money" and "this is about as big and connected as it gets" and I really enjoy the fact that the writer's really thought about what they were makign when they wrote the script for this film.

A note of caution to families: this film is rated PG-13, but it is not a good movie for children or young teenagers (15 and under). To be honest, I think that the vast majority of them would be bored with this film, but high schoolers should watch it and would enjoy it. The rating system is so entirely messed up, that in this film's case, just think that it is like The Dark Knight (psychological/reflection of society-wise), and if you don't think that was appropriate for your teenager, etc., then this film is probably not appropriate either.