William ArnottState of Play
June 2nd 2009 04:52
"State Of Play" is a new feature in cinemas adapted from the BBC mini-series from earlier this decade. I don't think you need to feel like you have to see the television show for you to enjoy this one, as this comes with a lot of entry points in which to find yourself thrilled and curious as to what is unravelling here. Perhaps the films' leading strength is a top class performance from leading man Russell Crowe as a weathered old-school crime reporter at a Washington DC newspaper. Crowe really plays the part well, as does the rest of the cast which includes Ben Affleck as the Congressman involved in the scandal that Crowe's reporter is investigating, and Rachel McAdams - an on-line journalist, Robin Wright Penn - Affleck's wife, and Helen Mirren - the newspaper editor, round out what is a classy cast. I felt that it is with much thanks to this cast as well as director Kevin McDonald, who made "Last King of Scotland" and "Touching The Void", that this film is as slick and tantalising as it is, as the labrinthine and coincidence laden plot is not altogether satisfactory.
But is very good and I give it 4 out of 5.
"What Just Happened?" stars Robert De Niro as a busy Hollywood producer who is juggling a film starring Sean Penn that the studio won't accept, Bruce Willis with a beard that he won't shave off, two ex-wives - namely Robin Wright Penn again, and then there's his agent, a crazy director, and whoever else can complicate his life. Barry Levinson directs and this is pretty good entertainment without setting the world on fire.
3 and a half out of 5.
"What Just Happened?" stars Robert De Niro as a busy Hollywood producer who is juggling a film starring Sean Penn that the studio won't accept, Bruce Willis with a beard that he won't shave off, two ex-wives - namely Robin Wright Penn again, and then there's his agent, a crazy director, and whoever else can complicate his life. Barry Levinson directs and this is pretty good entertainment without setting the world on fire.
3 and a half out of 5.
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