Not Approved

State of Play

Oscar winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McAffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures in State of Play, from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).

Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race. Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.

McAffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar winner Helen Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer's identity, McAffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation's power structures. And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is ever safe.
11
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

This film was full of suspense, drama and action; all things that make a cerebral thriller worth watching. Intrigue and mystery are certainly exciting elements in good filmmaking. Unfortunately, the plot twists and turns several times but hey, they had two hours to fill so I guess the director should get some credit for keeping everyone interested. However, language was also a frequent element that was used to generate some nervous laughs from the audience. It is this unnecessary feature that stops us from considering this as a family film.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Several instances of sniper shots; some with blood but not graphic; car crash; a few shootings.

2
Sex

Two instances of discussions of affairs, not condoned but accepted.

4
Language

S-10; BS-5; H-8; F-2; JC/C-4; D-2; OG/OMG-2; A-4; Slang for male genitalia-6

2
Violence

Several instances of sniper shots; some with blood but not graphic; car crash; a few shootings.

2
Drugs

Drinking; smoking.

1
Nudity

Cleavage

0
Other

None

More Information