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IMDbPro

State of Play

  • 2009
  • PG-13
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
155K
YOUR RATING
Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)
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...
Play trailer2:30
9 Videos
55 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery

When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.

  • Director
    • Kevin Macdonald
  • Writers
    • Matthew Michael Carnahan
    • Tony Gilroy
    • Billy Ray
  • Stars
    • Russell Crowe
    • Rachel McAdams
    • Ben Affleck
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    155K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kevin Macdonald
    • Writers
      • Matthew Michael Carnahan
      • Tony Gilroy
      • Billy Ray
    • Stars
      • Russell Crowe
      • Rachel McAdams
      • Ben Affleck
    • 297User reviews
    • 155Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos9

    State of Play: Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch State of Play: Trailer #2
    State of Play: Trailer
    Trailer 2:28
    Watch State of Play: Trailer
    State of Play (2009)
    Clip 0:31
    Watch State of Play (2009)
    State Of Play: Della Fights Cameron To Stay
    Clip 1:03
    Watch State Of Play: Della Fights Cameron To Stay
    State Of Play: Cal Starts Questioning Dominic
    Clip 0:55
    Watch State Of Play: Cal Starts Questioning Dominic
    State Of Play: Collin Tells Cal To Bring Him The Evidence
    Clip 0:47
    Watch State Of Play: Collin Tells Cal To Bring Him The Evidence
    State Of Play: Cameron Chastises Cal And Della For Not Being First On The Collins Scandal
    Clip 1:01
    Watch State Of Play: Cameron Chastises Cal And Della For Not Being First On The Collins Scandal
    State Of Play: Collin Comforts Cal About His Trustworthiness
    Clip 0:56
    Watch State Of Play: Collin Comforts Cal About His Trustworthiness
    State Of Play: Cal Comforts Della After She Witnesses A Shooting
    Clip 0:32
    Watch State Of Play: Cal Comforts Della After She Witnesses A Shooting

    Photos55

    Helen Mirren in State of Play (2009)
    Helen Mirren and Kevin Macdonald in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren in State of Play (2009)
    Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)
    Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe and Kevin Macdonald in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe in State of Play (2009)
    Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)
    Kevin Macdonald in State of Play (2009)
    Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Russell Crowe
    Russell Crowe
    • Cal McAffrey
    Rachel McAdams
    Rachel McAdams
    • Della Frye
    Ben Affleck
    Ben Affleck
    • Stephen Collins
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Cameron Lynne
    Robin Wright
    Robin Wright
    • Anne Collins
    • (as Robin Wright Penn)
    Jason Bateman
    Jason Bateman
    • Dominic Foy
    Jeff Daniels
    Jeff Daniels
    • George Fergus
    Michael Berresse
    Michael Berresse
    • Robert Bingham
    Harry Lennix
    Harry Lennix
    • Detective Bell
    Josh Mostel
    Josh Mostel
    • Pete
    Michael Weston
    Michael Weston
    • Hank
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    Barry Shabaka Henley
    • Gene Stavitz
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Dr. Judith Franklin
    David Harbour
    David Harbour
    • PointCorp Insider
    Sarah Lord
    • Mandi
    Tuck Milligan
    Tuck Milligan
    • PointCorp Executive
    Steve Park
    Steve Park
    • Chris Kawai
    • (as Stephen Park)
    Brennan Brown
    Brennan Brown
    • Andrew Pell
    • Director
      • Kevin Macdonald
    • Writers
      • Matthew Michael Carnahan
      • Tony Gilroy
      • Billy Ray
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There is a partially hidden photo of real-life Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of 1970's Watergate fame on the wall of McAffrey's cubicle.
    • Goofs
      In the final scene of the printing montage at the end, the sign on the side of the truck says "Washington Post".
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      The printing process of a newspaper is shown as the ending credits start to show up.
    • Connections
      Featured in Screenwipe: Episode #5.3 (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      The Night Pat Murphy Died
      (Traditional)

      Arranged by Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett (as Robert Hallett), Séan McCann, Darrell Power

      Performed by Great Big Sea

      Courtesy of Sonic Entertainment Group and Warner Music Canada Co.

    User reviews297

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    State of Play, see the feature film, but be sure to see the BBC miniseries, too
    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.
    helpful•141
    56
    • videobrooklyn
    • Apr 13, 2009

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    FAQ15

    • What is "State of Play" about?
    • Is "State of Play" based on a book?
    • What does the title mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 17, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official site (France)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • Cuộc Chiến Cân Não
    • Filming locations
      • 612 S Flower Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Working Title Films
      • StudioCanal
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $60,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $37,017,955
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $14,071,280
      • Apr 19, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $87,812,371
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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