‘State of Play’ shows how journalism is changing

“State of Play” delves into the dirty world of politics where nothing is exactly how it seems.

Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe, “American Gangster”) is a seasoned journalist for a Washington D.C. newspaper who is assigned to investigate the shooting of two men.

The next morning, the employee and mistress of McAffrey’s friend, Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck, “He’s Just Not that Into You”), dies suddenly; and, it doesn’t look like an accident.

McAffrey is convinced there’s a conspiracy, even though no one, not even his editor Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”), believes him at first.

Government conspiracy is a common theme in both fiction and real life. Unfortunately, this makes half of the premise for “State of Play” not terribly intriguing.

A young journalist, Della Frye (Rachel McAdams, “Red Eye”), is assigned to investigate the murder of the Congressman’s mistress, but the two reporters soon team up when they realize a connection btween the murders.

Through Frye and McAffrey’s interactions, an interesting commentary begins to form about the current state of journalism.

McAffrey strictly sticks to print, while Frye blogs for the same newspaper. Tension arises at first from McAffrey, since print journalism is slowly going out of fashion and everyone in the newsroom knows it.

Even the editor-in-chief, Cameron Lynne (Helen Mirren, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”) gripes about the newspapers digital switch.

The relationship of McAffrey and Frye acts as an interesting representation of the changing role of journalism.

The further the team investigates a string of informants and cover-ups begin to unravel.

A mercenary group that was previously used by the government appears to be growing out of control, especially when it seems quite possible they are responsible for the death of Collin’s mistress.

Throughout the movie, the journalists are competing with other newspapers, and even the police to solve the mystery first.

By staying one step ahead, Lynne hopes their newspaper can maintain a competitive edge.

Frye and McAffrey sit on information they uncover and don’t give it to the police immediately, which puts lives in danger from the mercenaries.

Crime and investigation movies have been produced abundantly over the decades.

And while the story is interesting and the movie contains all of the elements of a good movie, it just remains that: a good movie. “State of Play” is entertaining, but also on par with the dozens of movies like it.

Crime drama fans might appreciate the movie, but it is unlikely they, or anyone for that matter, will be wowed.

Two out of five stars