Watch State of Play

State of Play is a 2009 political thriller film directed by Kevin Macdonald, starring Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, and Ben Affleck. The movie is based on a six-hour BBC television series of the same name, which aired in 2003. The screenplay was written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, and Billy Ray. The story follows a veteran Washington D.C. reporter, Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe), who is investigating the murder of a young woman who was working for his friend and former campaign manager, Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck). As Cal delves deeper into the case, he starts to uncover a vast conspiracy involving corporate lobbyists, private military contractors, and government officials.

Rachel McAdams plays Della Frye, a young blogger who starts working with Cal on the case. She is initially skeptical of Cal's old-school methods and his reluctance to embrace digital journalism, but she soon finds herself intrigued by the story they're chasing, as well as the dynamic between them.

As the investigation progresses, Cal and Della get closer to the truth, but they also become the targets of some of the people they're trying to expose. At the same time, Cal has to confront some personal demons, including his strained relationship with his ex-girlfriend Anne (Robin Wright), who happens to be his editor.

Ben Affleck is excellent as the conflicted Congressman, who is not only trying to clear his name but also deal with a personal tragedy that has rocked his family. Collins is a charismatic and idealistic politician who is forced to confront the ugly realities of politics and corruption.

The supporting cast includes great performances from Helen Mirren as the tough editor-in-chief of Cal's newspaper, Jason Bateman as a PR consultant with a shady past, and Jeff Daniels as a CEO with a lot to hide.

State of Play is a well-crafted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a smart and engaging movie that blends elements of journalism, politics, and drama to create a compelling story that feels relevant and timely even today. The performances are top-notch, and the direction is tight and focused, with some great suspenseful set pieces that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Overall, State of Play is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys intelligent and thought-provoking thrillers, with a strong emotional core and a message that resonates long after the credits roll.

State of Play is a 2009 thriller. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 64.