Helen Mirren and “State of Play” Film World Premiere, London

Helen Mirren is one of those names in our opinion up there with the Winslet, Jolie, Blanchett and Streep’s of this world , names with huge acting experience and talent in abundance, names we keep an eye on, there movements causing ripples throughout the movie industry, choice of films always watched even closer as these actreses can pick and choose where they appear, and they are looking for a role that provides a challenge to stretch them to the limit and will not appear in second rate films. There choice of films also affects other actresses chances of starring in a film so the competition watches them even more closely than we do!

When names like these appear in a film, it does add some serious credibility to the film in question, although cannot guarantee the film will be superb but there is a strong chance it will be, if not at the very least it will be worth going to see. Dame Helen Mirren pictured below.

Guest list at the premiere included Amanda Seyfried of Mamma Mia fame, Bianca Gascoigne, Charles Dance, Dominic Cooper, Hannah Spearitt, Helen Mirren, Jamelia, Kevin Macdonald, Russell Crowe, and Tamara Ecclestone who was also at the “Star Trek premiere the previous night.

The Plot

State of Play is a 2009 American political thriller. It is a film adaptation of the critically acclaimed 6-part British television serial State of Play, which first aired on BBC One in 2003 and is directed by Kevin Macdonald. The film tells of a journalist’s probe into the suspicious death of a Congressman’s mistress. Russell Crowe plays the journalist and Ben Affleck plays the Congressman. Support comes from Helen Mirren who plays Cal McAffrey (Crowe’s )  boss, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn, Rachel McAdams, and Jeff Daniels.

The plot is similar to that of the original 6-part program, retaining several main characters, but condensing and changing certain aspects to fit the two-hour format. The film is set in Washington, D.C. and tells of Stephen Collins (Affleck), a fast-rising United States Congressman whose mistress (Maria Thayer), a former research assistant, is found dead in suspicious circumstances. During a probe into a series of seemingly unrelated murders, Cal McAffrey (Crowe), an investigative journalist and Collins’ former friend, finds himself tasked with solving the case.

Information courtesy Wikipedia

The Verdict:

Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, and Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in the same film, on paper this looks to be a no brainer review, but thats on paper, on closer inspection things can be a little different and flaws could surface.

In reality Helen Mirren and Russell Crowe shine on this film and with respect to Rachel McAdams, outclass this actress but  Rachel  provides more than enough in the beauty element of the film to compensate. Mirren only plays a supporting  role, but her presence even in this kind of role cannot be denied. This film combines, action, plot, tension and drama and something to get the grey matter going with plenty of investigative journalism v blogging play offs in reference to news reporting with Rachel McAdams playing the blogger trying to get that story.

Plenty of twists and entrance of new characters to keep you guessing as to what will happen next, but not so complex you end up getting lost in twists, a staple of this type of film genre. Some critics reference the BBC TV Series that this film was based on has the edge, the adaptation and condensing of this series into a 2 hour film is, though, commendable indeed.

Classy cast line up, slick production,  oodles of  screen presence but  not a film for everybody, political type drama’s are an acquired taste, and in box office terms this is probably more of a Top 5 than a No1 smash, but a solid film none the less, if this is your thing.

It’s hardly Star Trek and not exactly Hannah Montana the Movie but this film in our opinion has the technical superior edge. The Mirren and Crowe factor will still pull in the punters and McAdams fans will not be let down as she is looking very good in this film indeed, Affleck fans again join the queue. It will be interesting to see which way the media critics go with this one, as it looks a difficult film to mark down no matter which way you cut it and we will be reading their reviews with interest!  Rating 3 and half stars out of 5 

State of Play Red Carpet Highlights:

Bianca Gascoigne

Tamara Ecclestone

Hannah Spearitt

• March 11, 2009 — Julia Roberts and “Duplicity” Premiere, London
• April 21, 2009 — Zoe Saldana and the UK Premiere of “Star Trek”, London
• April 3, 2009 — Miley Cyrus and “Hannah Montana: The Movie, Premiere, LA
• March 24, 2009 — Gemma Arterton and “The Boat That Rocked” Film Premiere, London
• February 6, 2009 — Isla Fisher and “Confessions of a Shopaholic” Premiere, New York