State of Play: Idealistic journalism?

Summer is here. Summer = blockbuster movies. I have to admit, as a movie fan, I look forward to the mindless fun that the summer hits offer – action, action, some romance maybe, and more action. And then there was State of Play.

To tell you the truth, State of Play was not my choice of movie to watch. First of all, I do not fancy Russell Crowe, as an actor or person. Second, I feel the exact same way about Ben Affleck. Thirdly, and I am so embarrassed to admit this, it is a movie about journalism. The only thing running in my head was “how can a movie about newspapers and writing be interesting enough for two hours?”

Boy, I underestimated my own profession. State of Play was a riveting account on politics, ethics and the press – a lethal combination anytime, anywhere. At a time where newspapers are going through what seems like Dark Ages for them, this romance between the press and good old conspiracy came like a breath of fresh air, twisted and noir all the way to the end.

Russell Crowe plays Cal McCaffrey, a veteran journalist with the Washington Globe, who has been with the paper for 15 years, and uses a 16-year-old computer to send in his copies. He and his political blogger colleague Della Frye (a conspicuous Rachel McAdams) become embroiled in a conspiracy of sorts, involving a string of point-blank murders, including the chief researcher and mistress of up-and-coming congressman Stephen Collins (a surprisingly engaging Ben Affleck), McCaffrey’s former roommate in college and best friend.

The plot thickens when we find out that Cal previously had a romantic relationship with Anne Collins (Robin Wright Penn), Stephen Collins’ long suffering wife. McCaffrey and Frye fight against deadlines, their editor (a brilliant Helen Mirren) and even life itself to get to the bottom of the murders that shake the Washington community and create political chaos, thanks to the connection to Congressman Stephen Collins. Look out for guest appearances by Jason Bates and Jeff Daniels, as a sleazy P.R. rep and a cunning politician respectively.

Thought-provoking movies are as difficult to find as a needle in a haystack these days, and State of Play comes in as a timely and timeless piece of filming, all in the hands of expert director Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland). State of Play makes a perfect, albeit clichéd, example of newspaper journalism. Idealism was never a bad thing anyway. This piece of art is worth more than the money you fork out for the ticket.

Rating: ••••