State of Play

Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is a successful politician & congressman. His current assignment is part of the committee that is hearing the case of Point Corp, an organization involved in dealings with the US Miliatry. However, this morning is not going to be too great. Just before he walks in for the hearing, he is informed about the death of Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer) one of his assistants on the case and also someone he has been having an affair with all this time. Shocked at this news and unable to handle the situation, he excuses himself from the hearing citing the untimely death. Obviously, a senior congressman like him should be setting an example and not creating doubts and the press is quick to start asking questions. It is just a matter of time before the tongues start wagging all over the place and questions are asked about the romantic involvement between Congressman Collins and his aide. However, Senator Fergus (Jeff Daniels), a senior congressman and Collins’ senior tries to get the situation under control and reiterates his support to Collins.


Cal McAffrey (Russel Crowe) is an investigative / crime journalist with the Washington Globe, a newspaper that is struggling to stay afloat and has a new bunch of owners. It really needs a story to spice things up and get circulation numbers high. Something that really doesn’t go too well with too many journalists including his boss Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren) but she doesn’t have much of a choice in the matter. Knowing that Cal and Collins were room mates in college, she urges him to look into the issue, first through a novice internet reporter of the Globe itself, Della Frye (Rachel MacAdams) and then herself. Cal doesn’t take the bait at first but changes his mind when Collins lands up at his doorstep late @ night and explains to him that he smells a fish. He starts moving the investigation in the right direction by taking help from Della.

State of Play is an absorbing drama from the maker of Last King of Scotland, Kevin MacDonald. The direction is extremely slick and actually straightforward. There is not too much action or effects and therefore much higher emphasis on the acting part. He is helped immensely by Russel Crowe and Helen Mirren. And much to my surprise, Ben Affleck also manages to put in a good performance. Nothing too great from the rest of the cast as such. But a good movie nevertheless. It released last year it would seem but somehow don’t remember having heard about it in this part of the world. A pity I say. Would have received a strong response on the big screen for sure. 6.5 on 10 for this one. Playing on HBO these days