State of Play (2009)

About State of Play

State of Play is a gripping political thriller directed by Kevin Macdonald. The story is based on a six-part British television series of the same name, broadcast on BBC in 2003. The screenplay, written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Peter Morgan, and Billy Ray, perfectly captures the high-stakes investigation into the death of a congressman's mistress.

The film begins with a seemingly random shooting by a petty thief, followed by the murder of Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer), the research assistant of rising U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). As the plot unfolds, Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe), an old friend of Collins and a seasoned reporter, is assigned to investigate the story which leads him to a high-level conspiracy involving multinational corporations, political lobbyists, and betrayals.

Making / Production

The film, distributed by Universal Pictures, was produced by Andrew Hauptman, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner. It was shot in Washington D.C. and Maryland, to capture the political climate accurately. Despite initial casting changes, the film smoothly transitioned through production to its eventual release in April 2009.

Actors

• Russell Crowe as Cal McAffrey, a seasoned D.C. reporter. With his gruff demeanor and commitment to the truth, Crowe compellingly carries the film's narrative.
• Ben Affleck as Congressman Stephen Collins. Affleck convincingly plays the role of a conflicted politician entangled in a deadly conspiracy.
• Rachel McAdams as Della Frye, an ambitious young reporter. McAdams brings a refreshing perspective to the traditional newsroom dynamics.
• Helen Mirren as Cameron Lynne, the editor of Washington Globe. Mirren delivers an outstanding performance as a hard-hitting editor, balancing commercial pressures with journalistic integrity.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is based on a BBC mini-series from 2003.
• Brad Pitt was originally cast to play Cal McAffrey but dropped out of the project due to script issues.
• The newspaper scenes were actually filmed in the Baltimore Sun's printing press.

Quotes

• "[to Della] You're just seeking the truth. You're a truth seeker. You can't help it, it is who you are. You're such a hypocrite. You're not interested in me. You come in here, it's all about you and you getting your story. I trusted you. You're my friend! You were supposed to be my friend anyway."
• "[to Cameron] You're suggesting that I kill the story of a lifetime to save this crummy little paper."

Music, Soundtrack

• The orchestral score for State of Play was composed by Alex Heffes. His suspenseful, rhythmically driven score played a significant role in maintaining the film's thrilling pace.