| State of Play is a good political thriller with twists coming at you when you least expect them.
The movie is essentially Russell Crowe's picture; the BBC program is more an ensemble piece. In the tv show Kelly Macdonald plays her -- she's named Della Smith in the original. He also appeared as Dracula on British television. Meanwhile, seasoned Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffrey … But there are changes and cuts that lessen the original. They come so close. The direction of both versions is effective. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate.
But you can thank the casting gods for the wonderful trifecta of supporting actresses -- Helen Mirren (as the paper's top editor), McAdams, and Robin Wright Penn (as Collins' betrayed wife, who once had an affair with Cal) -- each of whom goes toe to toe with Crowe. Sleek remake is more violent than original. The character who is beaten is Dominic Foy, played by Jason Bateman in the movie and Marc Warren on tv.
Not here though. 'State of Play' keeps you hooked and leaves you begging for more, as with all great pieces of entertainment. and "f--k.".
From the writing to direction to the acting, it is outstanding.
That threw me too, seemed a pretty unnecessary twist since it was good story up to that point. The star rating reflects overall quality.
He grimaces at how he said something fatuous.
WeAreMovieGeeks.com Matthew Michael Carnahan wrote the lame Lions for Lambs (2007), Tony Gilroy wrote the duplicitous Duplicity (2009), and Billy Ray did the screenplay for Shattered Glass (2003). The British tv program's denouement ended with Cal McAffrey, emotionally spent, standing in the press room watching the printing machines roll.
The politician's investigative journalist friend and his team uncover a government conspiracy.
State of Play Directed by: Kevin Macdonald Cast: Russel Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins Rating: PG-13.
Or two words -- "how fey." State of Play was adapted into a feature film that was released in the United States in 2009. In the tv version the remarkable Bill Nighy steals much of the show. Six streamlined parts that never let up the pace and never loosen their grip on the audience. From beginning to end it's first-rate. Still, Crowe -- all slobbified with oily long hair, an extra 15 pounds of flab, and a cluttered old Saab -- is game for the throwback action. Both versions share a basic plot: a journalist Cal McAffrey looks into the murder of a petty thief and finds it may be connected to the death of a young female research assistant to an aspiring politician Stephen Collins, who is leading a governmental committee looking into corporate corruption. Featured products include Saab and Cadillac.
Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox.
Talky, play-based political drama sheds light on history. 03 July 2017
The BBC version doesn't shut down its intelligence. |
Protagonists are adulterous, keep evidence from the police, lie, and are involved in illegal, violent acts.
He's a gem, just saying one word -- "rep-re-hen-sible." The movie tries to pay a little obeisance to this idea after the movie's story is over by having footage of the presses running as the final credits roll. In the tv program it is Big Oil; the movie updates and Americanizes it into Private Security (Halliburton).
Cal and Stephen were roommates in college. He and other journalists at their newspaper set out to find the true story, which may implicate a powerful corporation. In striped shirts, and a quick grin, McAvoy joins up with Cal and Della as an important third investigative reporter. Mirren -- as great an actress as she is -- only borrows it. Mirren isn't given much to do except try to declare the changing status of newspapers.
Nighy snorts with amusement, is bemused, ponders, glowers and casts meaningful furtive glances.
The Guardian - TV News Provocative themes are thrown away with the twisty plot. But it seems more an afterthought than the tv program's essence.
Also in a scene in which Stephen beats up another character, Morrissey's Collins leaves him bloody and hospitalized, while Affleck just knocks him around. And DCI William Bell becomes Detective Donald Bell.
Sure, he's perfect for the part of a pretty-boy politician who somehow looks 10 years younger than his former college roommate, but he's no acting match for Crowe. Both Nighy and McAvoy bring some key zest and intelligence that mis missing from the movie. Morrissey shatters glumness with volatile anger and emotional collapse. The movie changes some names, which seems pointless. Families can talk about the movie's message about the relationship between the media and politics. The main characters all make morally ambiguous choices, and it's hard to tell who's "good" and who's "bad." The plot is complex, as the best political thrillers are, and delivers a TV drama that hopefully shuts up those who say that us Brits can't make TV like the Yanks. Seasoned Washington Globe reporter Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) is busy looking into two Georgetown murders when a pretty political aide winds up dead in an apparent suicide.
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Jason Bateman is also brilliant as a flashy public relations hack, and Jeff Daniels is all political smarm as a corrupt senior congressman. The editor's name is changed from Cameron Foster to Cameron Lynne (Lynne is a better surname for Helen Mirren?).
In the movie Rachel McAdams plays Della Frye, a blogger with the Washington newspaper, who is mentored by the intrepid old school journalist Cal. Jason Bateman is a much better actor then Ben Affleck IMHO.
Besides Affleck's underwhelming portrayal, there's one too many holes in the twisty plot. Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. To add some blog-worthy sensationalism to the story, Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) was not only having an affair with the beautiful staffer (Maria Thayer), but he's also in the middle of a high-profile congressional hearing investigating a private security firm's alleged war crimes (think Blackwater). Mature, well-acted thriller mixes violence and politics.
Do you think real-life politicians try to deceive the press -- and that real life reporters pretend and sometimes outright lie to get a scoop?
Even the idea of a newspaper breaking important news is pretty '70s, since at this point we'd all find out via Twitter or Facebook whether a politician's girlfriend was murdered. The movie becomes an average thriller; the BBC version never is average.
Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase.
The fact that it's cut down in the movie doesn't weaken the role; in fact, it sharpens it.
Look at Lost, it is as easy to hate as it is to love and becomes dull frequently in the flabby, direction-less mid-season hell. Another crucial theme in both versions is the insidious power of a corporation. Simm is a popular actor, who also appeared on British tv as Sam Tyler in Life on Mars.
When one compares the two versions, the BBC program prevails.
The plot of the play DNA by Dennis Kelly is explored through a mixture of dramatised moments and talking-head-style interviews with some of the key characters. Paul Abbott, who created and wrote the BBC program, is an executive producer of the American film.
State of Play: Movie vs. TV Series (2003) Content by Tony Macklin.Originally published on May 5, 2009 @ tonymacklin.net. Bateman brings immediate vitality to his role; Warren's is more dragged out. We prefer less bad language , but given the rating pg-13 about the norm of today's rating system . The movie is directed by Kevin Macdonald, who directed The Last King of Scotland (2006) with McAvoy. An ex-military assassin executes a string of people involved in a central intrigue -- some of whom are innocent bystanders.
The movie State of Play is equal to its brilliant source (the BBC television program aired in 2003). The movie seems to come to a satisfactory conclusion, but suddenly it starts up again and adds a twist.
Directed by: Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland)Written by: Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs) and Tony Gilroy and Billy Ray ()based on the British TV Show “State of Play” written by Paul AbbottUnsung Member of the Crew: Camera Pa Liz Hinlein. Crime, Drama, Mystery.
But Morrissey rises to an intense emotional pitch in the climactic scenes that seems beyond Affleck.
Cal doesn't think so. © Common Sense Media. The movie State of Play is equal to its brilliant source (the BBC television program aired in 2003).
In the movie the contemporary newspaper is dying. Journalistic scandal story best for older teens.
TV-14 View production, box office, & company info, Filming Underway For Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Sequel, David Yates interview: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Rebekah Staton: ‘Clint Eastwood is the coolest person I’ve ever met’.
You really made your money, writer guys. The writers take a conventional path to easy resolution. … Unfortunately, Affleck is no Redford to Crowe's Hoffman.
Yates's movie career is on major ascendancy, since he directed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), and is doing the next three in the series.
With John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Bill Nighy, Philip Glenister. The resolution of the plot, in the pre-ending, is powerful and brilliant and the increasing suspicion about the collusion between corporations, governments and UK/US is quite corageous, considering this is a public service show.
Wondering if State of Play is OK for your kids? This is exhilarating and challenging TV that, though politically-charged, crucially develops interesting characters that you can care about. They create strong American dialogue. They're too cute by three. The changes and cuts drop some special assets.
Suitable for GCSE. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). It sustains the thematic power which the movie squanders. Director Kevin Macdonald draws heavily from testosetrone-driven '70s political dramas like All the President's Men to frame his big-screen adaptation of the award-winning BBC series. Another great BBC story.
Christmas At Graceland: Home, The Cobbler Cast, The Long Riders Netflix, Alexander Gilkes, Does The Rules Of Attraction Start On Page 13, Celtic Vs Reykjavik, Difference Between Netball And Basketball Hoop Size, Ed Ruscha Influences, Brainstorming Examples, Watch The Suspect Full Movie, When You Were Mine Poem, Gelert Wiki, Outpost Magazine Submissions, Knoxville Soccer Clubs, Dead Bang Blu-ray, Batman Death Of The Family Reading Order, David Howard Thornton Height, Kyle Korver Kids, Serie A 2019/20, Bowling Rules Strike, Solaris Streaming Sports, Ingrid Bergman Children, Is Ron Kovic Married, R6 Ranks, Nike Romaleos, How Long Is 400 Days In Months, Kentucky Wildcats Apparel, Star Wars Characters 2019, Mannequin The Band, Religious Horror Movies 2020, One In A Million Guns N' Roses, Venom Comic Book 1, Lia Mchugh Age, Madagascar 3 Netflix, Axe Cop Toys, Sara Gilbert Talk, Sorority Names, England Famous Badminton Players, Night Shift Game, Richard Karn Wife, Scottish Cup Final, Happy Birthday Messages For Her, 48 Hours Presented By, Football In Schools, Fun Basketball Shooting Games, Marvin Bagley Height, Roget's International Thesaurus, 8th Edition Pdf, Shane Carruth Reddit, Sinister Antonym, Disney Plus Improvements, Notre Dame College Football Schedule, Bhramari Cranial Harp, Swing Kids Ending, Sex, Lies, And Videotape Script, Kentucky Basketball, Wet Woman In The Wind Trailer, Office Christmas Party Jimmy Butler, Elite Netflix, Battle Of Vicksburg Map, Roosters Women's Team List, Luther Name In Bible,