Review: State of Play

State of Play is a really solid conspiracy thriller that reminds me a lot of the movies from the 90’s like The Pelican Brief, The Firm, etc. It’s entertaining throughout with a great cast of actors (minus Ben Affleck), and manages to pull the viewer through a series of twists and turns to a satisfying end.

The movie follows the main character Cal McAffrey, who’s personal life and past come knocking on his door when the recent death of a congressman’s aid sheds controversy over his old friend. Della Frye, representing the new breed of reporter that harnesses the internet rather than traditional journalism tactics, bumps heads with the old guard (McAffrey), but comes under his wing to uncover the truth of the story.

The movie progresses at a very good pace, revealing its depth with a mature moderation. Never overly pretentious or self–serving, the movie manages to pull off the telling of a very compelling story, despite starting with very predictable elements. It was based on a television serial that aired on BBC One in 2003, which I have read is equally excellent.

Find More Information: Trailer at Apple.com, Official Site, IMDb