Come April, there’s gonna be a new spy thriller in town. Will we care? There’s only one way to find out: After the jump, let’s rate the trailer for State of Play, starring everyone we’ve ever heard of.
The Movie: State of Play (opening April 17)
The Buzz: In 2003, this was a popular British miniseries about a politician, his dead assistant, and the reporters who dig around in his business. Now it’s an American film starring (deep breath) Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, and Robin Wright Penn.
Angelina Jolie and Mickey Rooney probably make cameos.
The Trailer:
The Review: Wait. I got some of Russell Crowe’s hair in my mouth.
pthptphtphtpth
Okay: I’m interested in this movie because of it’s pedigreed source material and it’s beyond-stellar cast, but despite all that, it seems a little… generic. I mean, if you know the British spy series MI-5 (or Spooks, as it’s called over there), doesn’t this trailer seem like any episode of that show? The washed-out lighting , the crisp suits, the women with severe haircuts urgently walking toward banks of technology… it’s all been done on that series. And I’m pretty sure someone in season two utters the phrase “wrath of God money.”
But of course, it’s not just MI-5. This trailer also resembles In the Line of Fire, 24, and every other government thriller.
So at best, State of Play looks like a decently entertaining genre movie. I guess that’s okay, but considering the people involved, I was expecting the next All the President’s Men, not Vantage Point 2: The Vantaging.
Right now, my money’s still on Duplicity for sexiest thrills of the springtime.
The Rating: 2 1/2 Russell Crowe Flyaway Bangs
9 responses so far ↓
1 Glark // Jan 13, 2009 at 4:29 am
You forgot the bit from the trailer where we are supposed to believe Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck were college roommates.
2 bstewart23 // Jan 13, 2009 at 7:57 am
I’m a fan of almost all of the actors in this — the notable exception being Surly McGladiator — and the original series was staggeringly good. Nice surprise to see Helen Mirren stepping into the role for which Bill Nighy won a (much-deserved) Bafta, though she seems to have had all the original’s delicious sarcasm drained from her system.
I plan on enjoying this on some flight in the next year.
3 ferretrick // Jan 13, 2009 at 10:19 am
Obviously the stylist went on from this movie to do Drew’s hair at the Golden Globes. Someone stop this maniac.
4 Mark Blankenship // Jan 13, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Somehow, the fact they were roommates didn’t even enter my consciousness. It’s like I couldn’t accept it, so my brain rejected.
And I have hope that Helen Mirren has some sarcasm that we’re just not seeing in the trailer.
5 Rommate Joe // Jan 13, 2009 at 5:49 pm
This looks to be the version of the trailer that doesn’t mention the college roommate thing. They likely re-cut the trailer after they heard Tara laughing so loud at that part in the theater before “Frost/Nixon.”
I had been trending pro-Affleck in the past few years, after a long period of hating the guy, but I think there’s huge potential for him to deliver a giant stinker of a performance, based on what (admittedly little) we’re seeing here.
6 Amanda // Jan 17, 2009 at 11:49 am
Mostly I want to see Jason Bateman as the self-involved butthead of a source. He should be perfect for that.
7 Nicole // Jan 30, 2009 at 5:48 am
Can anyone tell me what that expression “wrath of god money” means? Is it just “a hell of a lot of money” or is it to be understood in its first meaning?
8 Mark Blankenship // Jan 30, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’ve just been assuming it meant “so much money that God Himself will bring down his wrath to get it.”
9 Pristine // Aug 15, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Mark, you’re right. The film does appear to be very generic, all fluffed up on its bigness and conspiracies. I liked the original TV show a lot and it looks like any fun that was had in the show has been taken out. And yet…Tony Gilroy wrote the script? I’d expect more from the man.
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