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Spring's Bounty
Apr. 19th, 2009 12:25 pmCinema
Surprising and Well-executed, State of Play is good news for all.
When a murdered assistant to congressman Stephen Collins(Ben Affleck) breaks out along with ties to an affair, scandals break out. For long-time friend and reporter Cal McAffrey (Russel Crowe), he is one of the only reporters out there with a sympathetic appeal to Stephen. Soon, however, after reluctantly teaming up with webblogger and amateur reporter Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), he soon finds that not all is as it seems.
First thing I like to mention is how surprised I was at this film. Ben Affleck, for one thing, has often been a synonymous name with bad acting, and it's hard not to justify it. For another, the film really does well at capturing your attention to what is going on. Although it begins slow, the storyline snowballs slowly from one issue to another hidden within, all the while encouraging a stronger pace between their bosses' frustrated egging (played by Cameron Lynne). The actors seem to keep up the pace well with it and that is another blessing. The fact that Affleck plays such a pivotal role but doesn't blow it shows that he is really starting to show his skill. In fact, I think he did a better job than Crowe, who seemed a bit lifeless unless he was interacting with Affleck or Lynne.
Camerawork was laudable, with emphasis on nice well-planned locations and good use of silhouette effects where it was. I learned a few more things there on the effectiveness of the frame.
Particular props go to Jason Bateman, who plays a drug-addled PR manager that is spastic and unforgettable for what few scenes he is in.
I also wanted to point out that Viola Davis is in it, whom I probably now have a crush on ever since I saw Doubt.
Surprising and Well-executed, State of Play is good news for all.
When a murdered assistant to congressman Stephen Collins(Ben Affleck) breaks out along with ties to an affair, scandals break out. For long-time friend and reporter Cal McAffrey (Russel Crowe), he is one of the only reporters out there with a sympathetic appeal to Stephen. Soon, however, after reluctantly teaming up with webblogger and amateur reporter Della Frye (Rachel McAdams), he soon finds that not all is as it seems.
First thing I like to mention is how surprised I was at this film. Ben Affleck, for one thing, has often been a synonymous name with bad acting, and it's hard not to justify it. For another, the film really does well at capturing your attention to what is going on. Although it begins slow, the storyline snowballs slowly from one issue to another hidden within, all the while encouraging a stronger pace between their bosses' frustrated egging (played by Cameron Lynne). The actors seem to keep up the pace well with it and that is another blessing. The fact that Affleck plays such a pivotal role but doesn't blow it shows that he is really starting to show his skill. In fact, I think he did a better job than Crowe, who seemed a bit lifeless unless he was interacting with Affleck or Lynne.
Camerawork was laudable, with emphasis on nice well-planned locations and good use of silhouette effects where it was. I learned a few more things there on the effectiveness of the frame.
Particular props go to Jason Bateman, who plays a drug-addled PR manager that is spastic and unforgettable for what few scenes he is in.
I also wanted to point out that Viola Davis is in it, whom I probably now have a crush on ever since I saw Doubt.
