Film: State of Play

Posted on April 23, 2009, at 12:27 a.m.

When the illustrious Russell Crowe says, “Nah dawg, I ain’t frontin’” in a movie, you know you’re in for a treat; in this case, the twisty-turny thriller, “State of Play.” The film is a standout in a genre that gets more additions each year than Octomom’s nursery, if she could afford one.

“State of Play” is absolutely compelling. It is intense from the opening shot to when the credits roll. The force is a result of some clever twists, the large scale of the subject matter and the haunting score by composer Alex Heffes.

“State of Play” has a lot to say, and it says it all with few plot holes and only a few implausible moments; a monumental task for a political espionage thriller, which tend to be extremely far-fetched and largely unfulfilling. The film touches on many important topics; the strength of friendship, ethical boundaries for reporters, monopolization and privatization of the Department of Homeland Security and political sex scandals.

The movie has a heck of a cast, including Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Helen Mirren and Jeff Daniels. Affleck’s acting isn’t vomit-inducing this time around – it’s his best performance since “Dogma” 10 years ago. Crowe is as cool as ever, unethical at times, but still super slick. Bateman remains a favorite, playing a sarcastic little weasel that doesn’t get nearly enough screen time for what his character entails.

Director Kevin MacDonald paces the film frenetically for a plot that is dominated by dialogue. Though action sequences are minimal, they are solid and effective. While “State of Play” is not quite an edge-of-your-seat thriller, it sure is a fun ride.

Plot twists unfold as conspiracies unravel. A few developments are somewhat predictable, others are well set up and hard to spot. The film’s spider-web of conspiracies reaches far and wide, from a 10-year-old purse thief to the CEO of Point Corp, a $40 billion company seeking to privatize the Department of Homeland Security.

Magnificent acting, frantic pacing, a marvelous score and a smart storyline – what’s not to like? Check out this movie.

Grade: A