IMDb > State of Play (2009)
State of Play
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State of Play (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) Videos (see all 25 NEW)
State of Play (2009) -- Picture-perfect U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) seems to be the rising star in the world of politics -- until his research assistant, who was also his mistress, is murdered. And then the secrets start coming out...
State of Play (2009) -- Clip: Cal comforts Della after she witnesses a shooting
State of Play (2009) -- IGN chats with Crowe, Affleck and McAdams about the political thriller.
State of Play (2009) -- Interview: Rachel McAdams "On Della's ambitions"
State of Play (2009) -- Picture-perfect U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) seems to be a rising star -- until his research assistant, who was also his mistress, is murdered. Can a star reporter (Crowe) and his co-hort (McAdams) uncover the truth?

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   21,694 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Kevin Macdonald
Writers (WGA):
Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay) and
Tony Gilroy (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for State of Play on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 April 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Mystery | Thriller more
Tagline:
Find The Truth
Plot:
A team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
(190 articles)
Helen Mirren Joins “Red”
 (From Filmofilia. 3 November 2009, 3:17 PM, PST)

Free Flick of the Day: His Girl Friday
 (From Cinematical. 31 October 2009, 3:02 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
State of Play, see the feature film, but be sure to see the BBC miniseries, too more (153 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Jeux de pouvoir (France)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.
Runtime:
127 min
Country:
USA | UK | France
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #45139) | Australia:M | UK:12A | South Korea:12 | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-13 | Norway:11 | Sweden:11 | South Africa:13LS (13LV) | New Zealand:M | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 | Mexico:B | France:U | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 (f) | Argentina:Atp

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Kevin Macdonald considered asking Bill Nighy to reprise his role of Cameron but decided to make the character a female instead. Helen Mirren was then cast. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Before Della runs after Cal in one of the office scenes near the end, she is wearing the pen necklace he gave her. It was shown that she just got up and ran after him, but the next time we see her she is not wearing the pen necklace. more
Quotes:
[last lines]
Cal McAffrey: Good night everybody. See you tomorrow...
more
Movie Connections:
References "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) more
Soundtrack:
Long As I Can See The Light more

FAQ

What is the song that Cal is listening to in the car when he first arrives at the homicide scene?
Is "State of Play" based on a book?
How did Sonia get the job as Stephen's researcher?
more
77 out of 117 people found the following comment useful.
State of Play, see the feature film, but be sure to see the BBC miniseries, too, 13 April 2009
7/10
Author: videobrooklyn from United States

I attended a pre-release screening of the new film, State of Play, with anticipation of seeing both quality work from actor Russell Crowe and screenwriter Tony Gilroy. I also entered the theater with a degree of apprehension about how well this feature length film would measure up to the brilliantly acted and crafted six-part BBC series that was the basis for the film. Crowe well-embodied the tenacious old-school investigative journalist that we've come to know from classics, such as "All the President's Men." However, the multifaceted ensemble of journalists, portrayed by a rich range of actors from the BBC series (John Simm, Kelly MacDonald, James McAvoy), is missing from this feature film where Russell Crowe does all the work. The complexity of the plot, which includes the competing professional interests and emotional needs of the characters in the British miniseries, is largely eliminated in this big screen version. Ben Affleck and Robin Wright Penn do not seem to appreciate and respond to the high stakes events that could turn their lives inside out and upside down. What this film shares with the miniseries is the glimpse into the mechanics of running a journalistic investigation under the pressure of time and editorial interference, but the personal stories suffer from not being fleshed out and made to feel real and compelling to watch. It is not fair to compare one piece of art to another, but when two productions are related, and you've seen the original, it is difficult to view the second production without prejudice. It is like trying to unring a bell.

The new film, State of Play, is a convincing thriller, but it fails to also deliver as a richly defined character drama.

Curiosity will drive those who saw the BBC series to see this film, and the rich pedigree of the film production will draw in those who know nothing about the original miniseries. Everyone will ultimately be satisfied by seeing both productions (miniseries is on DVD) so that they can make the comparisons and connections that any thinking film-goer will want to do.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Need clarification on the mugging situation TheJigsaw
Mini-series 100% better! linda303
toss this hollywood rubbish in the bin Kiers77
mini series vs movie leonine471
Wish it was Pitt and Norton forceflow_24
Yinzer red95king
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