IMDb > State of Play (2009)
State of Play
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State of Play (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 43 | slideshow) Videos (see all 17)
State of Play -- Picture-perfect U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) seems to be the rising star in the world of politics -- until his research assistant, who was also his mistress, is murdered. And then the secrets start coming out...
State of Play -- Clip: Cal comforts Della after she witnesses a shooting
State of Play -- Interview: Rachel McAdams "On Della's ambitions"
State of Play -- Picture-perfect U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) seems to be a rising star -- until his research assistant, who was also his mistress, is murdered. Can a star reporter (Crowe) and his co-hort (McAdams) uncover the truth?
State of Play -- Clip: Collins confronts Cal about his trustworthiness and integrity

Overview

User Rating:
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Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Kevin Macdonald
Writers (WGA):
Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay) and
Tony Gilroy (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for State of Play on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 April 2009 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Drama | Mystery See more »
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:
See more »
Awards:
2 wins & 2 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(936 articles)
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User Reviews:
A solid and interesting old-fashioned political thriller See more (212 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Russell Crowe ... Cal McAffrey

Ben Affleck ... Stephen Collins

Rachel McAdams ... Della Frye

Helen Mirren ... Cameron Lynne

Robin Wright ... Anne Collins (as Robin Wright Penn)

Jason Bateman ... Dominic Foy

Jeff Daniels ... George Fergus

Michael Berresse ... Robert Bingham

Harry Lennix ... Detective Bell

Josh Mostel ... Pete

Michael Weston ... Hank

Barry Shabaka Henley ... Gene Stavitz

Viola Davis ... Dr. Judith Franklin

David Harbour ... PointCorp Insider

Sarah Lord ... Mandi

Tuck Milligan ... PointCorp Executive

Steve Park ... Chris Kawai (as Stephen Park)

Brennan Brown ... Andrew Pell

Maria Thayer ... Sonia Baker

Wendy Makkena ... Greer Thornton

Zoe Lister Jones ... Jessy (as Zoe Lister-Jones)

Michael Jace ... Officer Brown

Rob Benedict ... Milt

LaDell Preston ... Deshaun Stagg

Dan Brown ... Vernon Sando

Katy Mixon ... Rhonda Silver

Shane Edelman ... D.A. Purcell
Maurice Burnice Harcum ... Ben's Cashier

Cornell Womack ... Junior Detective #1
Nat Benchley ... Junior Detective #2

Gregg Binkley ... Ferris
Trula M. Marcus ... Carol (as Trula Marcus)
Carolyn Barrett ... Policewoman Escorting Della
Wil Love ... Iowan Congressman
David E. Goodman ... Graves (as David Copeland Goodman)
John Badila ... Mr. James
Brigid Cleary ... Mrs. James
Joy Spears ... Waitress / Dancer #1
Brandi Oglesby ... Waitress / Dancer #2
Stacey Walker ... Waitress / Dancer #3
R.B. Brenner ... Globe Production Manager
Lucía Navarro ... Telemundo Reporter

Chris Matthews ... MSNBC Reporter

Lou Dobbs ... CNN Reporter
James Vance III ... Reporter
Sharon Dugan ... Business Woman
Noel Werking ... Business Man
Rose Coleman ... Jackie
Lee von Ernst ... ICU Nurse
Richard Ruyle ... Karaoke Singer

Stuart Brazell ... Karaoke Bar Hostess (as Susan Stuart Brazell)
Herbert Gordon ... News Reporter #1 (as Herbert 'Chris' Gordon)
Keith Anthony Garvin ... News Reporter #2
Julie Carey ... News Reporter #3
Eun Yang ... News Reporter #4
Denae D'Arcy ... News Reporter #5
Natasha Chughtai ... News Reporter #6
Greg Graham ... The Wolf
Eric Hatch ... Peter
Josh Rhodes ... The Hunter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Don Abernathy ... Hospital Employee (uncredited)

Michael Alban ... Man in Market Place (uncredited)

Woody Andrews ... Witness (uncredited)

Kevin Bangos ... Foreign Press Writer (uncredited)
Scott Barry ... Shopper (uncredited)
Nora Bauer ... Reporter (uncredited)

Ashley Bell ... Voice (voice) (uncredited)

Christie Beran ... Pedestrian (uncredited)

Robert Bizik ... Physician (uncredited)

Bill Blair ... Newspaper Employee (uncredited)

Michael Blumenstock ... Camera Man (uncredited)

Devon Brookshire ... Congressional Secretary to Collins (uncredited)

Laura Bryce ... Shopper (uncredited)
Kyle Burgess ... Congressional Aide (uncredited)
Margaret Carlson ... Extra (uncredited)

Juan Eloy Carrera ... Washington Lobbyist (uncredited)
Larry Carter ... Senator (uncredited)

Robert Randolph Caton ... Washington Attorney (uncredited)
Steve Clemons ... Extra (uncredited)
Thomas Joe Craig ... Manchester K-9 Policeman (uncredited)

Greg Crowe ... Neighbor (uncredited)
Bruce Allen Dawson ... Detective (uncredited)
Paul Dietz ... Waiter (uncredited)
E.J. Dionne Jr. ... Extra (uncredited)
John Doty ... Commuter (uncredited)

Matt J. Doyle ... Politician (uncredited)

Francesca Ellana ... Student on Metro (uncredited)

Lourdes Faberes ... Reporter (uncredited)

Paul Fahrenkopf ... Hearing Attendee (uncredited)
Liam Ferguson ... Newspaper Reporter (uncredited)

David Foster ... TV Cameraman (uncredited)

Alexis Fowlkes ... Girl (uncredited)
Mariano Gowland ... News Reporter (uncredited)

Eileen Grubba ... Peggy (uncredited)

Matthew James Gulbranson ... Collins' Driver (uncredited)
Marcus Nel-Jamal Hamm ... Capitol Police Officer (uncredited)
Frank Herzog ... Congressman Johnson (uncredited)

Carol Ilku ... Reporter (uncredited)

Ian Irizarry ... Pedestrian (uncredited)

Tracie Jules ... DC Executive (uncredited)
Katty Kay ... Extra (uncredited)

Errol Krass ... Congressional Hearing Audience - Yawning (uncredited)

T. Alloy Langenfeld ... Navy Commander Garner (uncredited)

Kevin Leigh ... Man on Cell Phone (uncredited)

Kimrie Lewis-Davis ... ICU Nurse (uncredited)

Robert Maratea ... Reporter (uncredited)
E Marshall ... Waiting for Metro (uncredited)

Justin Mather ... Politician / Cyclist (uncredited)

Charisse Matthews ... Pedestrian (uncredited)
Fernando A. Mico ... Arts Patron (uncredited)

Douglas Nelson ... News Reporter (uncredited)
John Palmer ... Extra (uncredited)

Hash Patel ... News Reporter (uncredited)

Jose L. Penaranda ... Suspicious shopper (uncredited)
Michael Ray Reed ... Sailor (uncredited)

Bob Schieffer ... Extra (uncredited)
David J. Smolar ... Staff Photographer (uncredited)

Patrick Michael Strange ... Bicyclist / Neighbor (uncredited)
Lance Strumpf ... Pointcorp Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)

Tina Toner ... Nurse (uncredited)
Debbie Tsamoudakis ... Reporter (uncredited)

Towanda Underdue ... Subway Rider (uncredited)
Juan Pablo Veizaga ... Congressman (uncredited)
Bill Ward ... Driver / Neighbor (uncredited)
Steven A. Webb ... Cameraman / Hooded Walker (uncredited)

J.D. Wine ... Fish Market Patron (uncredited)

Brianna Womick ... Bobbie's Waitress (uncredited)
Bob Woodward ... Extra (uncredited)
Stephen Zaleski ... Congressional Aide to Sen, Fergus (uncredited)
Dianne Zaremba ... Legislative Director (uncredited)
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Directed by
Kevin Macdonald 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay) and
Tony Gilroy (screenplay) and
Billy Ray (screenplay)

Paul Abbott (television series)

Produced by
Paul Abbott .... executive producer
Tim Bevan .... producer
Liza Chasin .... executive producer
Eric Fellner .... producer
Andrew Hauptman .... producer
Eric Hayes .... co-producer
Debra Hayward .... executive producer
Kwame Parker .... associate producer (as Kwame L. Parker)
E. Bennett Walsh .... executive producer
 
Original Music by
Alex Heffes 
 
Cinematography by
Rodrigo Prieto 
 
Film Editing by
Justine Wright 
 
Casting by
Avy Kaufman 
 
Production Design by
Mark Friedberg 
 
Art Direction by
Gregory S. Hooper (additional art director)
Richard L. Johnson 
Adam Stockhausen 
 
Set Decoration by
Cheryl Carasik 
 
Costume Design by
Jacqueline West 
 
Makeup Department
Sandy Andrle Roffman .... makeup artist (as Sandy Andrle)
Felicity Bowring .... makeup department head
Sherri Bramlett .... hair stylist
Jennifer Brown Greenberg .... makeup artist
John Caglione Jr. .... makeup artist: Russell Crowe
Diane Hammond .... additional makeup artist
Diane Hammond .... makeup artist: second unit
Julie Hewett .... department head makeup: additional photography
John E. Jackson .... makeup artist: Ben Affleck
Bob Kretschmer .... wig maker
Annabelle MacNeal .... additional makeup
Cathrine A. Marcotte .... key hair stylist (as Catherine A. Marcotte)
Frances Mathias .... department head hair stylist: additional photography
Rhonda O'Neal .... hair stylist
Denise Paulson .... key makeup artist
Kelvin R. Trahan .... department head hair
Janice Tunnell .... assistant makeup artist
Toni-Ann Walker .... hair stylist: Russell Crowe
Carol S. Federman .... assistant makeup artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Robert Huberman .... unit production manager
Kwame Parker .... production supervisor
Graham Stumpf .... post-production supervisor
Michelle Wright .... executive in charge of production
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Timothy Blockburger .... second second assistant director: second unit (as Tim Blockburger)
Chamonix Bosch .... additional second assistant director: Washington D.C.
Doug Coleman .... second unit director
Carlos De La Torre .... second second assistant director
Peter Dress .... second assistant director: second unit (as Pete Dress)
Frank Ferro .... first assistant director: second unit
Scott Foster .... second second assistant director: Washington D.C.
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon .... second unit director
Gary Marcus .... first assistant director
Dawn Massaro .... second assistant director (as Dawn Massaro-Adams)
Donald Murphy .... first assistant director: second unit
Kurt Uebersax .... second assistant director: second unit
 
Art Department
Doreen Austria .... graphic designer
Bryan Badman .... construction gang boss
Billy Baker .... set dresser
Jamie Bishop .... assistant props
Robin Brown .... art department assistant
Thomas E. Brown .... paint supervisor
Shane Buckallew .... lead plaster foreman
Susan A. Burig .... graphic designer
Charisse Cardenas .... assistant art director: additional photography
Robert J. Carlyle .... construction coordinator
Susannah Carradine .... art department coordinator
Christopher Casey .... set dresser
Carl Catanese .... set buyer
Ryan D. Compton .... propmaker gang boss
John Coven .... storyboard artist
Skip Crank .... property master: second unit
Chad R. Davis .... property assistant: property master: second unit
Michael Davis .... construction coordinator
Rossana De Cicco .... painter
Amina Allean Dieye .... art department coordinator: set decoration
Alex DiGerlando .... additional graphic artist
Derek du Bellier .... propmaker gangboss
Rome Duval .... propmaker gang boss
Patrick T. Eagan .... carpenter
Scot Erb .... model maker
Jimmy Flores .... lead propmaker foreman
Kelsey Fowler .... art production assistant
Frank-Joseph Frelier .... art production assistant
Erick Garibay .... assistant property master
Chad Glass .... production illustrator
Jeffrey Pratt Gordon .... props
Valerie Green .... assistant art director
Ted Haigh .... graphic designer
Gregory S. Hooper .... assistant art director
John Paul 'J.P.' Jones .... property master: additional photography
John Kelso .... metal fabricator
Noelle King .... set designer
Michael Kocurek .... gang boss
David Ladish .... set dresser
Steven Ladish .... set dresser
Holiday Landa .... art department coordinator
William J. Law III .... set designer
Steven Light-Orr .... set dresser
James R. Lord .... propmaker gang boss
Gregory Lynch Jr. .... carpenter gang boss
Charles Maloy .... set dresser
Danielle Mana .... art production assistant
Cameron Matheson .... set dresser
Jason McDonough .... set dresser
Kimberly Merlin .... set decoration buyer
Robin L. Miller .... property master
Charlie Montoya .... on-set dresser
Janine McEwen Newell .... construction auditor (as Janine McEuen)
Ted Nolan .... construction shop foreman
James F. Orendorff .... general foreman
Jeff Ozimek .... set designer
Alexander Panov .... paint decorator
Lucinda E. Pealer .... scenic
Jeff Plauster .... general foreman construction
Mark Pollard .... graphic artist
Ira Proctor .... welding foreman
Kathleen Rosen .... buyer
Eric Rosenberg .... graphic designer
Chris Samp .... set painter
Ernest M. Sanchez .... leadman
Eric S. Saperstein .... paint foreman
Bridget Shaw .... art department: production assistant
John Stone .... construction coordinator
Michael Thurman .... set dresser
Keith Weaver .... charge scenic
Wendy Weaver .... set decorating buyer
Chris Withrow .... set dresser
Peter Chan .... illustrator (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
David Bach .... dialogue editor (as Dave Bach)
Phil Barrie .... assistant sound editor
Craig Berkey .... sound effects editor
Craig Berkey .... sound re-recording mixer
Adam Blantz .... sound mixer: second unit
Sarah Bourgeois .... assistant sound editor
Johnna Chism .... first assistant sound editor
Naomi Dandridge .... adr recordist
Tom Deane .... adr mixer
Mark F. Dennett .... boom operator: second unit
Mary Jo Devenney .... sound mixer: second unit
Michael Fowler .... adr recordist
Alexandra Gallo .... utility sound technician: additional photography
Kenneth Gilbert .... adr recordist
Rick Gould .... adr recordist
Rodney Gurule .... utility sound technician
Tom Hartig .... boom operator
Hilda Hodges .... foley artist
Kevin Hyde .... boom operator: additional photography
David Jobe .... foley mixer
Greg Junovich .... adr mixer
Tim LeBlanc .... sound re-recording mixer
Skip Lievsay .... sound re-recording mixer
Skip Lievsay .... supervising sound editor
Howard London .... adr mixer
Douglas Murray .... adr mixer
Lionel Strutt .... adr coordinator
Jim Stuebe .... sound mixer: additional photography
Mark Ulano .... production sound mixer
Jay Wilkinson .... sound effects editor
Byron Wilson .... dialog and adr supervisor
Peter Gleaves .... adr mixer (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Hank Atterbury .... special effects technician: Washington D.C.
Ron Bolanowski .... special effects coordinator: additional photography
Jeff Bresin .... special effects technician
Martin Bresin .... special effects supervisor (as Marty Bresin)
Phaedra Eason .... special effects crew
Jeremy Hays .... special effects coordinator (as Jeremy D. Hays)
Jonathan Kombrinck .... special effects
Matthew Lillis .... special effects technician
Jim McPherson .... special effects technician: Washington D.C.
Sean O'Harra .... special effects technician: Washington D.C. (as Sean Oharra)
Ken Rudell .... special effects technician
Dominic V. Ruiz .... special effects (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Shish Aikat .... education manager, Rhythm & Hues
Erik Akutagawa .... digital image resources supervisor
Richard Alonso .... computer graphics
Alana Aranki .... digital compositor
Jeffery Beeland .... pipeline supervisor: Rhythm and Hues
Beverly Bernacki .... digital compositor
Adam Blank .... tracker: Rhythm & Hues
Swapnil Borawake .... matchmove technical director: Rhythm and Hues
Andy Chih-Jen Chang .... compositing technical director: Rhythm & Hues (as Andy Chang)
Vikas Chirate .... systems administrator
Patrick Clancey .... digital opticals
Daniel Aristoteles Collins .... systems/operations: Rhythm & Hues
Krystal Cooper .... render i/o coordinator: Rhythm & Hues
Doug Cram .... digital compositor (as Douglas Cram)
Michael Crane .... lead digital compositor: Rhythm & Hues
Tim T. Cunningham .... visual effects producer: Rhythm & Hues
Sean Dowey .... motion graphics artist
Saeed Faridzadeh .... digital compositor: Rhythm & Hues
Mark Fletcher .... screen graphics designer
Bill Georgiou .... sequence supervisor
Anthony Harris .... color timing supervisor
Phil Holland .... digital imaging specialist
Sean Kennedy .... compositor: Rhythm & Hues
Louis Kreusel .... render i/o coordinator: Rhythm & Hues
Jay Lalime .... digital compositor
David Lamps .... render i/o coordinator: Rhythm & Hues Studios
Rahul Robert Lewis .... matchmove technical director
J. Michael Marlett .... digital coordinator (as Michael Marlett)
Michael T. Marlett .... digital coordinator
Bob Mercier .... visual effects supervisor (as Robert C. Mercier)
Rohini Montenegro .... digital compositor: Rhythm & Hues
John Paszkiewicz .... vfx compositor
Allen Rose .... effects lead
Brad Smith .... render I/O administrator
Jakris Smittant .... digital coordinator
Ben Taylor .... render i/o administrator
Robert Young .... digital compositor: Rhythm and Hues (as Reid Young)
Elika Burns .... roto/paint supervisor: CIS Hollywood (uncredited)
Thomas Mathai .... data manager (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Keith Adams .... stunt coordinator: additional photography
Michael Ahl .... precision driver
John Branagan .... stunt driver
Eddie Braun .... stunt driver
Dan Brown .... stunts
Olivia Chang .... stunts
Jeff Chumas .... utility stunts
Stuart Clark .... stunt double
Liisa Cohen .... utility stunts
Doug Coleman .... stunt coordinator
James Cottingham .... precision driver
Darrell Davis .... stunts
J. Mark Donaldson .... stunts
Brennan Dyson .... stunts
Jeannie Epper .... stunts
Peter Epstein .... stunts
Roy Farfel .... stunt driver
Jeremy Fry .... stunt driver
Al Goto .... stunts
Matthew James Gulbranson .... precision driver (as Matt Gulbranson)
Don Hewitt .... stunts
Steve Holladay .... stunts
Stacey Howell .... stunts
Keii Johnston .... utility stunts
Brett A. Jones .... stunts
Steve Kelso .... stunt driver
Peter Lai .... stunts
Kimrie Lewis-Davis .... stunts
Brian Machleit .... stunt double: Jason Bateman
Steve Mack .... stunts
Bob Marrocco .... stunt driver
Tom McComas .... stunt double: Ben Affleck
Jane Oshita .... stunts
Carl Rice .... motorcycle stunt
Allen Robinson .... stunt coordinator: Washington D.C.
Gregg Smrz .... stunt driver
Patrick Michael Strange .... precision driver
Don Whatley .... precision driver
Keith Woulard .... stunts
Bob Yerkes .... stunts
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Ian Axilrod .... second assistant camera: second unit
Justin Babin .... rigging grip best boy
John C. Barber .... grip: Washington, DC
Shawn C.H. Baron .... rigging grip
James Barrett .... rigging electrician
Jose F. Barrios .... rigging grip
Thomas A. Barrios .... second assistant camera
Robby Baumgartner .... gaffer (as Robert Baumgartner)
Tanner Bayer .... electrician
Tanner Bayer .... grip
Jean-Philippe Belliard .... electrician
Erik Bernstein .... electrician
Sarah Brandes .... assistant camera: second unit
Joey Bruce .... rigging electrician: Washington DC
Donald Burghardt .... first assistant camera: second unit
Robin Bursey .... loader: additional photography
Jeff Callow .... grip
Adam Camacho .... key grip: insert unit
Marc Cole .... Steadicam operator
John Crimins .... lighting console programmer
Charles Crivier .... dolly grip
Christopher Crivier .... best boy grip
Austin Cross .... rigging electric
Steven Cueva .... second assistant camera
Gary Dahlquist .... rigging gaffer
Clayton Daily .... film loader: second unit
Joshua Davis .... rigging electric best boy
Kyle Dean .... camera production assistant
Joseph Dianda .... key grip
Eric Felland .... lighting technician
Patrick D. Fields .... grip: Washington, DC
Alex Fleming .... film loader: Insert unit
Michael Franco .... electrician: fixtures
Michael Gearhart .... grip
David Ghegan .... best boy electric: second unit
Christopher Glasgow .... best boy grip: los angeles
John Grillo .... camera operator
John Grillo .... camera operator: "a" camera: additional photography
David Shane Guild .... rigging electrician
Paul A. Hardiman .... lighting technician
Chris Henry .... lighting technician
Orlando Hernandez .... best boy electric
Orlando Hernandez .... lighting technician
Edward Hohman .... rigging grip (as Edu)
Troi Horton .... rigging grip best boy
Steve Irwin .... video/computer playback supervisor
William T. Iversen .... rigging grip
Michael Kelly .... gaffer: second unit
Jeremiah Kent .... second assistant camera
Steven J. Kovalesky .... electrician
Chris Leidholdt .... rigging key grip
Tom Lembcke .... key grip: second unit
Gabriel J. Lewis .... lighting technician
Johnny Madison .... lighting technician
Damon Marcellino .... set lighting technician
Ryan Marsh .... lighting technician
Jesse Mather .... lighting technician
Eduardo Enrique Mayén .... loader
Dwayne McClintock .... aerial director of photography
Niles McElroy .... lighting technician
Johnny Medeiros .... video assist
Chris Milani .... best boy: electric
Christopher Moats .... electrician: Washington DC
Hector Moreno .... digital imaging technician
Nino Neuboeck .... first assistant camera
Jason Petty .... rigging electrician
James A. Ray .... additional electrician: Washington, DC
Ramiro Ruiz .... rigging electrician
David Scott .... rigging technician
S. Benny Smyth .... rigging electrician: Washington D.C.
Jeff Snyder .... additional video assist operator
Dante Spinotti .... director of photography: additional photography
Julian Sternthal .... rigging grip: Washington D.C.
Masanobu Takayanagi .... camera operator: second unit
Masanobu Takayanagi .... director of photography: second unit
Christopher A. Thompson .... rigging electrician
James 'Biff' Thomsen .... electrician
Maxwell Thorpe .... rigging grip
Sean Tuell .... rigging grip
Wade Tyree .... lighting technician
Zoran Veselic .... first assistant camera
Mark Walpole .... first assistant camera: additional unit
Glen Wilson .... still photographer
Mike Wilson .... electrician: Washington, DC
Franz Wise .... electrician
Jozo Zovko .... second assistant camera (as Joe Zovko)
Jon Jung .... a camera first assistant: additional photography (uncredited)
Jordan C. Kadovitz .... additional video assist (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Elizabeth Dean .... casting manager
Lois J. Drabkin .... casting associate
Rich King .... extras casting
Terry L. Lamfers .... casting executive
Meagan Lewis .... location casting associate
Caitlin McKenna-Wilkinson .... adr voice casting
Pat Moran .... casting: Washington DC
Robyn Owen .... casting associate: Los Angeles
Shaunessy James Quinn .... extras casting assistant
Leeba Zakharov .... casting assistant
Kean Cronin .... extras casting (uncredited)
Jeremy Lambert .... extras casting assistant (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Susan Antonelli .... costumer
Kadija Bangura .... costume production assistant
Michael Castellano .... costumer: Russell Crowe
Holly Davis .... assistant costume designer
Naomi Gathmann .... costumer
Tracy Gossett .... costume coordinator
Lisa Lovaas .... costume supervisor
Mara Majorowicz .... set costumer
Meg Matthews .... costumer
Ethan Meyer .... costume production assistant
Donna O'Neal .... key set costumer
Stephanie Portnoy Porter .... costumer (as Stephanie Portnoy)
Adam Sabodish .... costume assistant: re-shoots
Minerva Diann Savoy .... on-set costumer
Amanda Sroka .... set costumer: 2nd unit
Derek Sullivan .... costumer
Deborah Zimmerman .... costumer
Deborah Zimmerman .... set costumer: additional photography
 
Editorial Department
Siobhan Boyes .... post-production coordinator
George Chavez .... color timer
Gabriel Diaz .... post-production assistant
Matt Evans .... first assistant editor
Eileen Godoy .... digital intermediate producer
Mo Henry .... negative manager
Matt Hull .... assistant digital intermediate producer
Yvan Lucas .... colorist: Efilm
Tom Reiser .... colorist assist: Efilm
Kevin Soares .... second assistant editor
Matt Sweat .... post-production assistant
Lisa Tutunjian .... digital intermediate editor
Kristen Young .... assistant editor
Jamie Adams .... assistant editor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Leo Abrahams .... musician: guitars
Geoff Alexander .... orchestrator
Nick Angel .... music supervisor
Thomas Bloch .... musician: cristal baschet
Paul Clarvis .... musician: musical sculptures and percussion
Tim Davies .... additional orchestrator
Andrew Dudman .... music recording engineer
Clarissa Farrán .... score assistant
Flood .... music producer: additional music
Flood .... score producer
Geoff Foster .... score recording engineer
Alex Heffes .... musician: guitars
Alex Heffes .... score co-producer
Steve Hubback .... musician: musical sculptures and percussion
Lewis Jones .... assistant music engineer
Rael Jones .... assistant music editor: UK
Mark Kilian .... additional music arranger
Andy Kitchen .... assistant music engineer (as Andrew Kitchen)
Kirsten Lane .... music consultant
Laurence Love Greed .... assistant engineer (as Lawrence Greed)
Catherine Marks .... assistant score engineer
Kathy Nelson .... executive in charge of music
Andy Richards .... score mixer
Matt Robertson .... music programmer
Barnaby Robson .... musician: clarinet
Schlomo .... musician: human beatbox
Lee Scott .... music editor
Nevin Seus .... assistant music editor
Kenneth Sillico .... orchestra leader (as Kenneth Sillito)
Hilary Skewes .... score contractor
Hilary Skewes .... score coordinator
Tony Stanton .... music preparation
Neil Stemp .... music programmer
Dimitri Tikovoi .... musician: drums
John Warhurst .... music editor: UK
Vicki Williams .... music coordinator
 
Transportation Department
Ryan Allen .... transportation
Fabian Arroyo .... transportation
John A. Brubaker .... transportation coordinator
Robert Brubaker .... picture cars
Richard Denson .... transportation co-captain
Anthony Detiege .... transportation
Robert E. Dingle .... transportation captain
TyRee Dingle .... driver
Adam Fox .... transportation dispatcher
Don Haggerty .... driver
Stan Mataele .... driver
Aaron McKissick .... driver
John McKissick .... driver
Javier Miranda .... driver
Tony Mouradian .... driver
Mike Mulgrew .... driver
Marc Pietzmeier .... driver
Chance Robertson .... driver
Niu Sale .... driver
Kurt Schmiederer .... driver
Cesar Solis .... driver
Fred Teague .... transportation captain
Paul Tumber .... transportation
Chad Wadsworth .... driver
Chad Wadsworth .... production van operator
 
Other crew
Kimberly Aguirre .... payroll accountant
Bjorn Arnesen .... production assistant
Olivier Arnesen .... production coordinator
Eric Bannat .... key assistant location manager: second unit
Sara Bartkiewicz .... assistant production coordinator: additional photography
Ernest Belding .... location manager: Los Angeles
Samuel Birdsong .... production assistant
Zach Book .... production assistant
Kristen Boulé .... set production assistant
R.B. Brenner .... consultant: news media
Matt Brewer .... production assistant (as Matt J. Brewer)
Aaron Buchsbaum .... production assistant
Toby Burge .... production assistant
Stephan Burle .... title designer
Allyn Camp .... production assistant
Jules Carideo .... production coordinator (as Julie Carideo)
Chay Carter .... assistant: Ben Affleck
Al Cerullo .... helicopter pilot
Brian M. Chilcoat .... set production assistant
J. Chan Claggett .... location manager
Jocelyn Cleary .... assistant: Keith W. Rodger
Nancy Clemons .... photo double
Nancy Clemons .... stand-in
Stacy Clinger .... lead paint foreman
Malika R. Cohen .... production coordinator: additional photography
Jesse Cole .... key assistant location manager
Paul Conti .... computer playback supervisor
Tianni L. Craig .... production assistant
Kyle David Crosby .... production assistant
Lauren Cynkar .... assistant: Mr. Walsh
Bianca D'Carpio .... production assistant
Ted M. Davila .... assistant accountant
Judy Dickerson .... dialect coach: Russell Crowe
Chloe Dorigan .... assistant: Tim Bevan (as Chloé Dorigan)
Douglas Dresser .... location scout: Los Angeles
Maboud Ebrahimzadeh .... production assistant
Cate Eckenrode .... set production assistant
Brett Eidelman .... second assistant accountant: additional photography
Marty Elfalan .... first assistant accountant
Evelyn S. Farkas .... set medic
Kate Fasulo .... production secretary
Todd Feaser .... location assistant
Robert L. Fiks .... location assistant
Robert L. Fiks .... production assistant
Carol Flaisher .... location manager
Robb Foglia .... script supervisor: second unit
Scott Foster .... production assistant: Washington, D.C.
Isabel Freer .... assistant: Kevin Macdonald
Ollie Gatehouse .... post production assistant
Christopher Geair .... assistant location manager: Washington, DC
Greg Graham .... choreographer
Pamela B. Green .... producer: main titles
Leighanne Haddock .... researcher
Joe Hafkey .... production assistant
Lisa Hagenmeyer .... key assistant location manager
Rob Harris .... unit publicist
Evan Hayes .... vice president of development: Working Title
Gregory D. Hemstreet .... production accountant
Patrick Hernandez .... production assistant
Hannah Hoover .... production assistant
Benjamin Gauvain Hoste .... production assistant (as Benjamin Hoste)
Philippe Iujvidin .... production secretary
Rachel Jensen .... production assistant
Douglas M. Jones .... set production assistant
Stephanie Nicole Kelley .... stand-in
Shaina Kent .... clearance assistant
Brady Kephart .... production assistant
Jess King .... production secretary
Steven Lafferty .... set production assistant
T.J. Larson .... production assistant
Candice LeClaire .... second accounting assistant
Laura Lewis .... location coordinator
Joshua Loiko .... second assistant accountant
Keriene Lucas .... production assistant
Carolyn Martin .... production intern
Kent Matsuoka .... location scout: Los Angeles
Terry McAllister .... security: Russell Crowe (as Terry 'Brooklyn' McAllister)
Sean McIntosh .... set production assistant
Peter McKernan .... aerial coordinator
Cory C. Myler .... assistant production coordinator
Matthew Dillon Noonan .... assistant location manager
David Oliver .... stand-in: Russell Crowe
Monica Perez Gelbman .... post-production accountant
Chrissy Phelan .... production assistant
Anna Rane .... script supervisor
Thell Reed .... armourer/gun coach
Jonathan Reich .... location manager: Washington DC
Mikey Reyes .... production and props assistant
Bob Riley .... production assistant
Keith Rodger .... assistant: Russell Crowe (as Keith W. Rodger)
Chris Rubeiz .... photo double
Becca Sadowsky .... assistant: Eric Fellner
Loriel Samaras .... set production assistant
Linde Sayles .... additional set production assistant
Emily Schweitz .... stand-in: Rachel Mcadams
Anneke Scott .... set production assistant
Cody Shearer .... consultant: D.C.
Elizabeth Sherman .... production assistant
Cara Shine .... assistant: Eric Fellner
Suzanne Shugarman .... accounting clerk
Heather J. Smith .... accounting clerk: re-shoot
Sheri St Lawrence .... second assistant accountant
Joshua Stickler .... set production assistant
Megan Taylor .... production assistant
Paul Thomas .... assistant: Michelle Wright
Keith Toll .... additional production assistant
Jarik Van Sluijs .... titles
Beth Vitallo .... assistant: Andrew Hauptman (as Lisbeth Vitallo-Hook)
David Vogel .... set production assistant: Washington D.C.
Stephanie Weier .... clearance coordinator
Sarah Jane Wright .... production executive (as Sarah-Jane Robinson)
Dana Blackstone .... stand-in (uncredited)
Kyle Burch .... stand-in (uncredited)
Jennifer McCormick .... stand-in (uncredited)
Brian Sampson .... stand-in (uncredited)
Frederick George Stuhrberg .... stand-in (uncredited)
Kim Thio .... location medic (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Walter Donohue .... the filmmakers would like to thank
Adrian M. Fenty .... the filmmakers would like to thank
Bob Gruen .... the filmmakers would like to thank
Sam Messer .... the filmmakers would like to thank
 

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Additional Details

Also Known As:
See more »
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
127 min
Country:
USA | UK | France
Language:
English | Cantonese
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
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 | Singapore:PG13 (re-rating)
Filming Locations:
612 S Flower St, Los Angeles, California, USASee more »
Company:
Universal PicturesSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
During the preproduction phase of filming, several sources reported that Haverford College, a prestigious liberal arts college in the "Main Line" area outside Philadelphia, had been approached for production design and costume items meant to imply that the two main characters, Cal McAffrey and Stephen Collins, had first met while attending Haverford. Although a plaque with the Haverford logo does appear in the background in one scene, there is no further on-screen acknowledgment of the characters' shared alma mater.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: When Stephen shows Cal the video message from Sonia, the Nokia N95 mobile was in the down slide position but seconds later it was slid up so the keypad was displayed.See more »
Quotes:
Della Frye:[referring to Foy] And why do you think he's gonna talk?
Hank:Because he's scared.
Della Frye:How do you know?
Cal McAffrey:Because I'm gonna scare him.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Borgen: I Bruxelles kan ingen høre dig skrige (#2.2)" (2011)See more »
Soundtrack:
Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm EatingSee more »

FAQ

How does Cal make the connection between Deshaun, Sonia, and PointCorp?
What is "State of Play" about?
How did Sonia get the job as Stephen's researcher?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
134 out of 178 people found the following review useful.
A solid and interesting old-fashioned political thriller, 15 April 2009
Author: DonFishies from Canada

Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is helping with the government investigation of a shady military-based company when he receives word that his mistress has committed suicide. Visually distraught, he leaves a hearing in tears and sets off a media circus. Seasoned reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe) was his roommate in college, and the two have remained friends. In a bid to quash the political blogging of junior reporter Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), McAffrey sets out to find the truth about the story.

State of Play sets itself up early on to be a cookie-cutter, predictable thriller. But as the film progresses, it rather quickly becomes the twisty and conniving thriller it needs to be. Despite being heavily dialogue driven, the film is an intense ride that will keep people on edge throughout. Some scenes are downright terrifying in their amped up suspense and political intrigue. This film really set out to be tense, and succeeds wonderfully. It knows just what punches to pull, and when to pull them.

The script, written by political scribes Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilory and Billy Ray, is insight and intriguing. It could have easily been made boring and inundated with rehashed politicalisms (like all of their last films), but this film revels in how interesting it becomes. It has laughs strung throughout (a genuine surprise), and lacks the nerve to become loaded to the brim with facts and innuendos. Instead, it expertly weaves between scenes, amping up the intensity of some scenes, and downplaying others.

But this is mainly due to the incredible performances by the cast. Crowe (who I usually loathe) and Affleck are simply outstanding in their roles. Age issues aside, both play their character with finesse and charisma. Affleck looks and acts like a confused wet-behind-the-ears, gunning-for-higher-office political pawn from beginning to end. Some of the reactions on his face are downright devastating in how excellently they are conveyed. And this is a guy critics once said could not act. Coupled with one-two shot of acting in Hollywoodland and directing Gone Baby Gone, we may be seeing a renewed resonance and importance for the Oscar-winner. Crowe on the other hand, delivers his strongest performance in years. While he has been downplayed and underused in his last few films, he carries this film. He is stubborn and vaguely likable, but he makes his character work for all of his idiosyncrasies and ethically-questionable tactics. He makes a seasoned journalist look like an amateur.

McAdams, all but a ghost recently, holds her own against the two heavy-hitters and delivers a performance that is both inspired and emotional. It gives her a lot of room to act, and she delivers in every instance. The rest of the cast is a bit mixed however, as so little of them is given that much to do. Harry Lennix, Robin Wright Penn, Jeff Daniels, the horrifying Michael Berresse and especially Jason Bateman, all deliver noteworthy performances, but never get to really shine in them. They all have their traits and motivations, but get little screen time to truly express them. They each are developed quite strongly, but they lack the movement afforded to Crowe, Affleck and McAdams. I simply loved Helen Mirren's scenery-gauging editor and all of her subtleties. But she too, is downplayed to the point of almost barely being in the film.

Despite its intensity, the film is bogged down by its dialogue-heavy scenes and consistent character additions. It is easy to keep track of everyone, but so many people are introduced that the film loses its focus on more than one occasion. It makes for a few scenes that are merely filler between the scenes of useful heavy acting. It just feels so tiring. I understand now how daunting a task it must have been to convert six hours of British television into a 127-minute film, but there are scenes that are just too easy to not have been cut out (some entire mildly useful subplots may have helped). Adding characters in makes sense for a story about two journalists frantically searching to lift the lid on a story, but there needs to be more emphasis on what was needed and not needed. A brilliant montage in the middle of the film goes almost entirely to waste because the filmmakers lack the knowledge of what should be cut. Limiting the preposterous and silly climax could have also done wonders. The scenes that are left in the film (including the finale) are great, but they could have been stronger if they were as tightly wound as the film wants itself to be. A little less shaky hand camera movement could have also significantly benefited the film.

Even with its problems, it is clear from the on-set of the first shot in the bullpen at the Washington Globe that the filmmakers are going for a very keen sense of homage to All the President's Men. While the on-going and very professional relationship between McAffrey and Frye is very similar to Woodward and Bernstein, the fabric of journalistic integrity and researching are the core of State of Play. The film is loaded with allusions to the Oscar-winning film, and even mimics shots right out of the film. While it is obvious for anyone who has seen Men, this film's nods are done in such a delicate and unique way that they never become distracting or blatant. The film is its own, and does not ever feel like it is living in its big-brother's shadow. It is a fresh take on old-fashioned reporting in a very digital age, and frequently walks the tight line of old versus new.

State of Play looked interesting, and surprisingly delivers on almost every count. It is not a perfect film, but it is a solid example of great film-making. It wants to be more, but seems content at being a twisty and suspenseful modern thriller.

8/10.

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Small question gordonwilson1
So Many Plot Holes - Spoiler Alert! edtully
Not a patch on BBC version betterthanronaldo
What is the sign in Cal McAffrey ring? majidiut
Long hair too long. mustang2006
Is this the movie I'm thinking of??? moviebuf-11
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