Capturing the audience's attention straight out of the gate, Kevin MacDonald's State of Play boasts one of the most impressive casts in his attempt to rejuvenate the quickly dying government conspiracy genre. And while the action, adrenaline and head-turning conclusion are all present and accounted for, it is the unmistakable performance from its leading star that prevents the film from truly flourishing.
Ever since winning an Oscar for his work as Maximus in 2000's Gladiator, Russell Crowe has slowly gotten worse and worse in terms of talent and physical appeal. From Master and Commander and Cinderella Man to American Gangster and Body of Lies, Crowe continues to play the same man repeatedly, never changing his mannerisms or movements. Sadly, the same goes for State of Play where he brings journalist Cal McAffrey to life with generic and over-the-top acting. His personality and physical appearence are repulsive throughout the entire film, creating a barrier between himself and the audience. No one feels for his lose, and when his life is on the line, his personal safety is the last worry to those watching on.
Thankfully, the same can't be said for his costars. Featuring the collaborated work of some of Hollywood's most sought after actors, the rest of the cast works fluidly together, brining to life a story of deceit, corruption and uncertainty.
At the heart of the film is Della Frye, played to flawless perfection by the reappearing Rachel McAdams. After taking a few years off from mainstream media, McAdams makes a valiant comeback as the up and coming reporter, bringing a sense of innocence and unknowing to the forefront. She is the ideal partner for Crowe, neutralizing his affects and movements both on and off the screen and making the film better because of it.
Also returning from a long hiatus is Ben Affleck who plays Congressman Stephen Collins. He, along with the always amazing Helen Mirren, headline a solid supporting cast; one that successfully pulls your eyes off the leads when needed, demanding your attention in some of the most dire of situations.
But all that would mean nothing if the film didn't possess a strong, central story. Full of misleading clues and intentional lies, State of Play is a mass web of destruction and deceit, all presented from the perspective of a newspaper journalist. The relationships at times get in the way of the story's fluid progression, but at the end of the day, they are needed in order to bring the final, pulse-pounding scenes home. The film is smart, clever and internally terrifying; and while you may think that you know the final result some minutes in; one must remember that in the big scheme of things, the eyes are the biggest liars of all.
