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State of Play (2009)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay) and
Tony Gilroy (screenplay) and
Billy Ray (screenplay) ...
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Tony Gilroy (screenplay) and
Billy Ray (screenplay) ...
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Release Date:
17 April 2009 (USA)
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Tagline:
Find The Truth
Plot:
A team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(428 articles)
'Hunger Games' Directing Gig Down to Three
(From Cinematical. 5 September 2010, 4:19 PM, PDT)
Hunger Games Director Search Narrowed to 3
(From movies.about.com. 3 September 2010, 3:40 PM, PDT)
Lionsgate Narrows 'Hunger Games' Down To 3 Directors
(From LatinoReview. 3 September 2010, 2:29 PM, PDT)
(From Cinematical. 5 September 2010, 4:19 PM, PDT)
Hunger Games Director Search Narrowed to 3
(From movies.about.com. 3 September 2010, 3:40 PM, PDT)
Lionsgate Narrows 'Hunger Games' Down To 3 Directors
(From LatinoReview. 3 September 2010, 2:29 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
State of Play, see the feature film, but be sure to see the BBC miniseries, too
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US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Russell Crowe | ... | Cal McAffrey | |
| Ben Affleck | ... | Rep. Stephen Collins | |
| Rachel McAdams | ... | Della Frye | |
| Helen Mirren | ... | Cameron Lynne | |
| Robin Wright | ... | Anne Collins (as Robin Wright Penn) | |
| Jason Bateman | ... | Dominic Foy | |
| Jeff Daniels | ... | Rep. George Fergus | |
| Michael Berresse | ... | Robert Bingham | |
| Harry Lennix | ... | Det. Donald Bell | |
| Josh Mostel | ... | Pete | |
| Michael Weston | ... | Hank | |
| Barry Shabaka Henley | ... | Gene Stavitz | |
| Viola Davis | ... | Dr. Judith Franklin | |
| David Harbour | ... | PointCorp Insider | |
| Sarah Lord | ... | Mandi Brokaw |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
127 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #45139) | Australia:M | UK:12A | South Korea:12 | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-13 | Norway:11 | Sweden:11 | South Africa:13LS (13LV) | New Zealand:M | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 | Mexico:B | France:U | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 (f) | Argentina:Atp | Denmark:11 | Austria:12 | Brazil:14 | Malaysia:PG-13
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton originally signed on for the movie that would have reunited them for the first time since Fight Club (1999). However, Pitt pulled out before Thanksgiving 2007, when rewrites were made impossible because of the writers' strike. He was replaced by Russell Crowe. Pitt's departure delayed the start of shooting, and made Norton unavailable as he was committed to start shooting Leaves of Grass (2009) in January. He was replaced by Ben Affleck.See more »
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: In the photograph that shows Sen. Stephen Collins with his fellow Gulf War soldiers, it is obvious that Ben Affleck's face has been edited into the photo.See more »
Quotes:
Rep. Stephen Collins:You're just seeking the truth. You're a truth seeker. You can't help it, that is just 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.See more »
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
The Night Pat Murphy DiedSee more »
FAQ
How does the opening scene (the shootings) fit with the rest of the movie?What does it say on the card that Cal gives Majority Whip George Fergus at the ballet?
What does the title mean?
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See more (188 total) »
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I attended a pre-release screening of the new film, State of Play, with anticipation of seeing both quality work from actor Russell Crowe and screenwriter Tony Gilroy. I also entered the theater with a degree of apprehension about how well this feature length film would measure up to the brilliantly acted and crafted six-part BBC series that was the basis for the film. Crowe well-embodied the tenacious old-school investigative journalist that we've come to know from classics, such as "All the President's Men." However, the multifaceted ensemble of journalists, portrayed by a rich range of actors from the BBC series (John Simm, Kelly MacDonald, James McAvoy), is missing from this feature film where Russell Crowe does all the work. The complexity of the plot, which includes the competing professional interests and emotional needs of the characters in the British miniseries, is largely eliminated in this big screen version. Ben Affleck and Robin Wright Penn do not seem to appreciate and respond to the high stakes events that could turn their lives inside out and upside down. What this film shares with the miniseries is the glimpse into the mechanics of running a journalistic investigation under the pressure of time and editorial interference, but the personal stories suffer from not being fleshed out and made to feel real and compelling to watch. It is not fair to compare one piece of art to another, but when two productions are related, and you've seen the original, it is difficult to view the second production without prejudice. It is like trying to unring a bell.
The new film, State of Play, is a convincing thriller, but it fails to also deliver as a richly defined character drama.
Curiosity will drive those who saw the BBC series to see this film, and the rich pedigree of the film production will draw in those who know nothing about the original miniseries. Everyone will ultimately be satisfied by seeing both productions (miniseries is on DVD) so that they can make the comparisons and connections that any thinking film-goer will want to do.