an intelligent film that captivates from start to finish
Reviewed by yellowjacket for State of Play at 2009-09-17 00:17:13
The intrigue, conspiracy and drama present in this movie are off the charts. It's truly an intelligent film that captivates from start to finish. I didn't particularly like the final twist but it all makes sense. On a structural note, I find it ironic that the crusading media is portrayed as the constant moral compass and is the hero of the film when, in real life, journalism is now all about the presentation of different levels of liberal falsities. As for the performances, Russell Crowe and the ENTIRE cast are simply superb... everyone is top level talent on the top of their game. I can't remember a recent movie where the supporting players are this good. Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels and even Helen Mirren have very small roles but all have a huge impact on the film. Affleck and McAdams do a great job as well.
Newspaper article from: Entertainment Newsweekly; 7/17/2009; 513 words...Good Will Hunting), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Jason Bateman (Juno), and RobinWright-Penn (Forrest Gump). From director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), State of Play brings together gripping...
Newspaper article from: Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television; 1/1/2005; 1234+ words...Eileen Ryan (an actress); brother of Sean Penn (an actor and director) and Michael Penn (a musician, singer, and songwriter); brother – in – law of RobinWrightPenn (an actress; also known as RobinWright...
Newspaper article from: Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television; 1/1/2004; 2391+ words...Los Angeles), CA; son of Leo Penn (an actor and director) and...actress); brother of Christopher Penn (an actor) and Michael Penn (a musician, singer, and songwriter...divorced, 1989); married RobinWright (an actress), April 27, 1996...
Newspaper article from: International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers; 1/1/2001; Rabinovitz, Lauren ; 2147+ words...Phillip, A Cinema of Loneliness: Penn, Kubrick, Coppola, Scorsese...Michigan, 1982. Wexman, Virginia Wright, and Gretchen Bisplinghoff...Altman, Boston, 1985. Wood, Robin, Hollywood from Vietnam to...London), Autumn 1975. Wood, Robin, "Smart-ass and Cutie...
Newspaper article from: International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers; 1/1/2001; Dale, Alan ; 1730+ wordsPENN, Sean Nationality: American...and television director Leo Penn and the actress Eileen Ryan; brother of the actor Christopher Penn. Family: Married 1) the...divorced 1989); 2) the actress RobinWright, 1996, two children: Dylan...