State of Play - Russell Crowe & Ben Affleck (2009)

Herbal · 19-04-2009, 18:29

Just came back from a screening of this and thought it was very good. It was action from the start to the end with some good twists.

I have not seen the BBC tv show so did not know anything about it, so not sure how it compares to that.

I just could not believe who else was in it apart from

Helen Mirren, Rachel Mcadams, Jeff Daniels & Jason Bateman.

Spoiler:

That idiot from the orange film adverts - Brennan Brown

cjanderson · 19-04-2009, 18:37

am seeing this as a preview on Tuesday night, loads of previews happening then over the country,

Didn't see the bbc show but sure i will like various segments of the film, or charachters, even if overall its a bit too politicky (not read much about it)

Herbal · 19-04-2009, 18:46

Its not really that political. Reminded me alot like All the presidents men (watergate)

swanny · 19-04-2009, 18:51

Loved the BBC series so have low expectations for this one.

Richie · 19-04-2009, 19:07

How close an adaptation is it meant to be?

DrZarkov · 19-04-2009, 19:48

The BBC series was great (its at Play.com for £3.99!!!)

Be interesting to see how they squeeze 6 hours of the tv plot into a movie.

Really looking forward to it though.

Alan b · 19-04-2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrZarkov

The BBC series was great (its at Play.com for £3.99!!!)

State Of Play: Series 1

Mr Majestik · 19-04-2009, 20:41

Don't know why their listing it as Series 1 when it's a one off mini series. Any how the BBC versions brilliant and well worth £4 for Bill Nighly as the newspaper editor.

gavinhanly · 19-04-2009, 21:41

Saw this last night. Was actually quite good and nowhere near as good as the BBC TV series. Also (big spoiler coming up about the ending)....

Spoiler:

I felt the bit where Affleck is implicated in the death of the girl was much less affecting than the UK version. In the BBC show didn't the minister actually kill her himself? And wasn't the reason for killing her something much simpler about protecting himself? I seem to remember that it worked so well that after all the stuff about consipracies, it all came down to "simple" murder. It seemed a little over-complicated in this version

.

Still worth seeing, but would definitely recommend the original over it.

GProject · 20-04-2009, 00:11

Really enjoyed this at one of the Sunday morning screenings - good story, a decent pace, never too unnecessarily 'showy', and all backed by a great cast. I've not seen the BBC series, but I'm inclined to now - in fact, I wasn't even aware it existed until it popped up in the closing credits. Solid thriller though, and worth catching when it comes out next week.

(There, that should fulfil my quota of "telling ten")

AndyH · 20-04-2009, 09:08

Also saw this Sunday morning. Very very good, but you know, recently I find this when I go in knowing very little and having ignored most of the trailers. Having seen the trailer since I'm happy I went in not really knowing what was coming up.

Anyway, it was very good. Reminded me a little of The Insider.

Will the film have effectively spoilered the TV series?

gavinhanly · 21-04-2009, 04:17

In some ways yes, as the main twist is there. But otherwise I think the TV series adds in many ways - and Bill Nighy is WAY better than Mirren. Plus there's a particular bit with regards to the hotel bit which is wonderfully done but ignored in the film version...

CRB · 21-04-2009, 07:04

I'm looking forward to seeing this.

The premiere is at Leicester Square tonight if anyone fancied a celebrity-spot!

AndyH · 21-04-2009, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinhanly

In some ways yes, as the main twist is there. But otherwise I think the TV series adds in many ways - and Bill Nighy is WAY better than Mirren. Plus there's a particular bit with regards to the hotel bit which is wonderfully done but ignored in the film version...

Thanks, might give it a whirl then - got to be worth a punt for £3.99!

DrVenkman · 21-04-2009, 08:12

I saw it and liked it, and I love the TV Show. It's a very different beast though, and sort of more a love letter to good print journalism.

I do agree though that the Affleck/Crowe pairing doesn't work. Both actors are good, though Affleck is short changed as he's given very little screentime compared to Crowe. But there's no chemistry between the two. It's not unsuprising given that Affleck was literally a last minute replacement. Though given their previous work it would've been great seeing Paul Bettany in the Affleck role.

Headstar · 22-04-2009, 08:13

I'm going to see this on Monday with the baby (it's Nappy Monday) so looking forward to it (hoping they'll be showing Wolverine the following week though!)

luffk · 22-04-2009, 21:01

Just seen this tonight and really enjoyed it. Having not seen the TV I thought it was a great film in it's own right. Well worth seeing.

callmecheez · 26-04-2009, 10:51

saw this last night, enjoyed it but it was ruined somewhat by the cinema errupting with laughter whenever the guy from the Orange adverts was on screen!!

Xeon007 · 26-04-2009, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by callmecheez

saw this last night, enjoyed it but it was ruined somewhat by the cinema errupting with laughter whenever the guy from the Orange adverts was on screen!!

Same thing happened when I went to see this on Friday. I thought the film itself was ok but was expecting more.

stephen · 03-05-2009, 21:23

I saw this yesterday and really enjoyed it (especially Rachel McAdams

) The only problem was the Orange ****, I don't know how they expected anyone to take scenes with him in seriously.