A fast-paced love letter to an industry now seemingly singing its swan song, "State of Play" lauds investigative print journalism in the same fashion as "All The President's Men" did in 1976 - though with unmistakably more pulp.
The narrative is typical: the emotionally invested newshound is on the trail of corporate corruption with a string of bodies leading to its doorstep. "State of Play," by nature a thriller, indulges in close calls in parking garages and predictable deaths.
Looking past its page-turner mentality, however, the film is arguably a must-see, especially for journalists looking for some sympathy.
The modern-day setting makes "State of Play" a case study of nearly every metropolitan newspaper struggling to cauterize their money-hemorrhaging wounds.
Russell Crowe is the salty, paunchy Cal McAffrey, a mid-career journalist wearing down shoe-leather for the Washington Globe. He's paid too much (i.e. hardly enough), takes too much time on stories and sneers at the word "blog" - a sure candidate for the next round of buyouts.
McAffrey's newsroom competition is the inquisitive Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), a 20-something Capitol Hill blogger and an obvious symbol for the future of journalism.
"She's hungry, she's cheap, and she churns copy every hour!" sharply quips Cal's editor-in-chief, Helen Mirren in her flinty finest.
When a garden-variety homicide on Cal's beat is linked to the suspicious suicide of a congressman's female aide, Della and Cal must begrudgingly put the generation gap aside and pool their resources for "The Truth."
Turns out, the dead woman was working on Congressman Stephen Collins' (Ben Affleck) case against PointCorp, a powerful independent contractor for Middle East manpower that is now accused of committing atrocities. She also was having an affair with the congressman, a fact that conveniently sends Stephen's political career spiraling. To further complicate Cal's intentions, Stephen is a college buddy and Cal had romantic feelings for Stephen's wife, Anne (Robin Wright Penn).
Talk about conflict of interest.
Penned by suspense gurus Michael Carnahan ("The Kingdom"), Tony Gilroy ("Michael Clayton") and Billy Ray ("Breach"), the film keeps the tension high with looming deadlines and billion dollar stakes. That being said, the twist ending does go a little overboard with the melodrama.
The acting is fully fleshed, a particular highlight being Jason Bateman's turn as a sleazy PR agent with answers to much of the mystery. Crowe and McAdams make an unlikely Woodword and Bernstein pairing, but his rapport with sources and her gung-ho attitude resonates deep in my journalism major soul.
Based on a BBC mini-series, "State of Play" touches on every looming problem facing today's reporters: their role as democracy's watchdog, ethical issues, Internet usurpation and the lack of pens when you need one.
But even if you never intend to see your name in a byline, one can't help but feel a little sentimental as the credits roll through a montage of a newspaper getting pressed. After all, who knows how long we will have the luxury of newsprint in our hands?
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