State of Play, a Hollywood remake of the six part BBC series of 2003, opens with plenty of enthralling action in the cold, damp, back alleys of Washington DC with a scared teenage boy frantically running through shops, around dumpsters and into fences while gripping a briefcase in his hand.

He takes cover amongst rubbish bins and looks like he might escape from whoever is chasing him until... A bullet nails him in the forehead. The mystery murderer flees off into the gloomy streets carrying the briefcase and the scene is set for a rollercoaster thriller... or is it?


Directed by Kevin Macdonald, written by Tony Gilroy, Matthew Michael Carnahan and Billy Ray, State of Play fails to deliver the fast paced action of the opening scene. Only with the introduction of sleazebag,Dominic Foy (Jason Bateman, Juno, Starsky & Hutch), does the movie recapture the the pace and intrigue of the opening scene. Bateman brings a effortless arrogance and sleaze which contrasts well with Cal McCaffrey's unkempt attire and Della Frye's spunky blog nerd (Russel Crowe and Rachel McAdams), These two central characters have been tasked with interrogating Foy over a possible link between Cal's longtime friend Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck), the murder of his head researcher and two other murders.

It should be riveting, on the edge of your seat stuff, but unfortunatley the movie alternates between crime and political intrigue in such a way that it confuses the already confusing plot even more.

Despite this the terrific character performances from veteran actors (Helen Mirren and Jeff Daniels) are worth the admission price alone. Mirren plays Cal and Della's boss while Daniels is a shady congressman who is eventually at the forefront the political melee.

Overall, however, the film lacks the suspense that thrillers rely upon, partly because the musical score is lacking conviction at crucial periods.

And while the latter stages of the film are intense with every part of the plot culminating in one big climax, fitting of a Hollywood production, the film loses its edge after too many plot twists.

Having said that, its relateable characters and brilliant acting makes State of Play A gripping suspenseful thriller worthy of a watch. Three out of five stars.

By Jake Morgan.