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State of Play

Name: State of Play
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: April 17, 2009
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Russell Crowe

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 155 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 155 Ratings

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STATE OF PLAY

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 17, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Russell Crowe

Summary: Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race. Until his research assistant/mistress is brutallyHandsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race. Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out. McAffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron, who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della try to uncover the killer's identity, McAffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation's power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is ever safe. (Universal Pictures)… Expand

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 127 min

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Awards & Rankings

99	#99 Most Discussed Movie of 2009

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Premiere Rob Calvert

This is a smart script. There is a wealth of twists, but none of them have to beat you over the head. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Acting-wise, the showstopper is Jason Bateman, with a diabolically entertaining turn as a smarmy PR man remarkably free with confidential information. Read full review

Dan Jolin

Once you get over the unlikelihood of Affleck and Crowe as buddies, State Of Play stands as a sterling thriller, benefiting from admirable convictions and an arguable return to form by Russell Crowe. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

In the end, though, it's Crowe who must carry the most freight, which he does with another characterization to relish. Still bulky, although not as much so as in "Body of Lies," long-tressed and somewhat grizzled, he finds the gist of the affable eccentricity, natural obsessiveness and mainstream contrarianism that marks many professional journalists. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Though solidly plotted and executed all around, the film, too, feels like a quaint relic from another era, aping the form of journalistic thrillers like "All The President’s Men" while missing much of their urgency. Read full review

David Denby

Crowe has an animal quickness and sensitivity, a threatening way of penetrating what someone is up to, a feeling for weakness in friends as well as opponents. He seems every inch a great journalist; it's not his fault that the filmmakers let the big story slip through their fingers. Read full review

Kyle Smith

State of Play is bordered by the states of absurdity and cliché. Read full review

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User Reviews

raciocinio

Dec 15, 2017

.........................................................................................................................................Russell Crowe killed with a great performance

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JudithW

Apr 17, 2009

I really enjoyed this movie. What a great pleasure to have a well acted and well written adult film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChrisC

Apr 19, 2009

This film is based upon an intriguing story, it has a fascinating script, and some great acting performances. It is Ben Affleck's standout performance of his career, and one which shows he has finally stepped out of the whole 'Bennifer' & Gigi shadow. The more investigation This film is based upon an intriguing story, it has a fascinating script, and some great acting performances. It is Ben Affleck's standout performance of his career, and one which shows he has finally stepped out of the whole 'Bennifer' & Gigi shadow. The more investigation is done by Russell Crowes character the deeper the mystery gets. The twists are amazing, but are nicely understated. 9/10 from me. I notice some of the weaker critics reviews are carried out by the bloggers that the film does have a sly dig at, by hinting, and then showing how they are not real journalists.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

JudyT

Apr 17, 2009

Okay but lacked the punch that would have made it great. Great performances by Robin Wright and Jason Bateman.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ManusA

Oct 3, 2009

This was an intriguing political thriller. It's not the Oscar contender it could have been, but still worth seeing. Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, and Rachel McAdams were the key navigators of the plot, and sometimes steal scenes from Mirren and Crowe, who are good as always. This was an intriguing political thriller. It's not the Oscar contender it could have been, but still worth seeing. Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, and Rachel McAdams were the key navigators of the plot, and sometimes steal scenes from Mirren and Crowe, who are good as always. Affleck had a weird approach to his character, but is still believable. The twist was intelligent but the movie didn't build enough suspense to reach that twist effectively. This has a marvelous backstory which I want to give away but won't, and is also an example of cliches well-executed and excellent. That said, it could have used some more originality. Without the performances of Penn, Bateman, and McAdams, this probably would have gotten a 6.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

warfield

Jul 15, 2011

A disapointment. Casting mistakes. See the orignal: the British TV show. American version might have been better if done in 6 episodes on cable network

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

IRONK1979

Jan 30, 2018

A slow and boring movie. Russell Crowe's performance is the only redeeming thing about it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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