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 25)
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...
State of Play (2009) -- Clip: Cal comforts Della after she witnesses a shooting
State of Play (2009) -- IGN chats with Crowe, Affleck and McAdams about the political thriller.
State of Play (2009) -- Interview: Rachel McAdams "On Della's ambitions"
State of Play (2009) -- 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?

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   23,312 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay) and
Tony Gilroy (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for State of Play on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 April 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
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
User Comments:
State of euphoria? Well, that's a bit too strong but this is a terrific film with a great cast! more (157 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Jeux de pouvoir (France)
Los secretos del poder (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
Большая игра (Russia) [ru]
A dolgok állása (Hungary) [hu]
Asjade seis (Estonia) [et]
Devlet oyunlari (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
I katastasi ton pragmaton (Greece) [el]
Intrigas do Estado (Brazil) [pt]
Jeux de pouvoir (Canada: French title) [fr]
La sombra del poder (Spain) [es]
Ligações Perigosas (Portugal) [pt]
Na odstrel (Czech Republic) [cs]
Stan gry (Poland) [pl]
State of Play - Stand der Dinge (Germany) [de]
U vrtlogu igre (Croatia) (wide-release title) [hr]
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.
Runtime:
127 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Edward Zwick was originally attached to direct but backed out in early stages of development. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When McAffrey leaves the office he is shown putting his briefcase over his shoulder. As he next enters the Chili Restaurant, we cannot see the briefcase. Yet, after he orders he looks down next to him and realizes the briefcase is missing. It wasn't there to begin with as it should have been. more
Quotes:
Cal McAffrey: The newspaper article he types reads: Three Deaths Tied to Gulf War Army Associate New evidence links Rep. Stephen Collins with the suspect in the killings of three people, including Sonia baker, the congressman's political researcher. When confronted by the Washington Globe with information tying him to suspect Robert Bingham... more
Movie Connections:
References "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) more
Soundtrack:
Long As I Can See The Light more

FAQ

How does Cal make the connection between Deshaun, Sonia, and PointCorp?
How does Cal come to identify Sonia's killer?
How does the film compare to the TV series?
more
27 out of 44 people found the following comment useful.
State of euphoria? Well, that's a bit too strong but this is a terrific film with a great cast!, 20 April 2009
9/10
Author: Amy Adler from Toledo, Ohio

Cal (Russell Crowe) and Stephen (Ben Affleck) have been buds since their college days. They still stay in touch, but their lives have taken two different paths. Stephen is an up-and-coming politico who has acquired the beautiful wife, Anne (Robin Wright Penn), the spiffy mansion, wealth and prestige. On the flip side, Cal works as a respected but hardly rich reporter for the Washington Globe, where publisher Cameron (Helen Mirren) reigns supreme. One day, as Stephen, who has been investigating the possibly nefarious doings of a Blackwater-type marines-for-hire group, is about to give a press conference, the gallery informs him that one of his committee members, Sonia, has been found dead near the DC subway. Beginning to cry, Stephen stumbles out of the press talk in a daze. That's because, it seems, red-haired, pretty Sonia was having an extra-marital thing with Stevie. Cal and fellow reporter, Della (Rachel McAdams) begin to investigate the case and also the death of two other gentlemen in the region whose demises may be connected. But, will the personal relationship and past that Cal has with both Stephen and Anne get in the way of the search for truth, especially when it comes to the billions of funds made by the "hired guns" Stephen was trying to explore? This is a top-notch thriller which may put fans of the genre into a state of euphoria. The script is flat-out terrific, based on a British miniseries, especially in its uncanny skill in blending a great deal of humor amid the chills and thrills. Likewise, the cast is most wonderful, with Crowe, McAdams, Affleck, Mirren, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Penn, and many others delivering strong, strong performances. Special words of praise should go to Crowe, for his head-turning but carefully nuanced role as a man caught in the middle. As for the movie's production, the sets, costumes, camera work and direction are nearly flawless, except for a ruffled blouse that some fashion diva thought would enhance McAdams' look but which hits 100 on the hideous meter. But, that's small peanuts, as they say. All in all, if you love thrillers, especially ones that include the juicy realms of politics and secret government operatives, you would be wise to head to the nearest theater and fork over some cash for this one. It is a definitely one fertile "playground" for the cinematic enthusiast.

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