Editorials > State Of Play (review)

The political thriller State Of Play is one for the time capsule, a homage to print journalism that is being released at a time when newspapers are gliding into obscurity. It feels like a political thriller on a certain level but superficially it is the murder of a young woman. A rising congressman’s mistress that drives the story. Russell Crowe plays Cal McAffrey who represents the last of the old school journalists & also happens to be good friends with the politician in question, Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). Cal’s & the congressman’s shady interests are revealed when the police & the Washington Post investigate the killing.
Crowe completely delves into the character, however he & Affleck never feel like a good match for each other. For one the age difference is hard to ignore to believe they’re college roomates. Second the chemistry never seems to blend.

Neal Damiano
Film Critic