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State of Play is the latest American export which took its inspiration from the 2003 smash hit TV series, of the same name, starring Bill Nighly and John Simms.

Russell Crowe plays Cal McAffery a seasoned and set-in-his-ways reporter working for the Washington Globe. When a young drug addict/petty criminal is found killed in a back alley he begins working on a story to uncover the motives behind the murder. At the same time Congressman Stephen Collins (Affleck) is caught in a compromising situation when it's discovered he's having an affair with a female member of staff who recently died on the way to work. Cal's younger and somewhat inexperienced colleague Della Frye (McAdams) is set to cover the story, but as Cal and Stephen were old college buddies he inevitably gets involved. When more and more coincidences begin to develop Cal and Della realise they're on to something and backed by Editor Cameron Lynne (Mirren), they unearth a government conspiracy bigger than anyone expected.   

State of Play is a political thriller at its best and the plots and character developments twist and turn like a well made pretzel. The drama comes thick and fast resulting in a spellbinding film that keeps you gripped from beginning to end and screenwriters Tony Gilroy, Billy Ray and Matthew Micheal Carnahan have done a near impeccable job condensing the original six hour drama into a 2 hour film. The faultless script is handled with the precise and meticulous touch it deserved and Last King of Scotland director Kevin McDonald puts to work his talent for showing the unknown side of iconic and high profile men.  
 
Stellar performances were expected from Academy Award winners Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Russell Crowe (Gladiator) but surprisingly the rest of the all-star cast also perform well. Even Ben Affleck (Changing Lanes) is better than expected and does an unexpectedly good job as Congressman Collins; the man with much to hide and everything to lose.

For everyone who saw the original 2003 TV series, comparisons and some subsequent disappointment is inevitable. But for those who of us who missed it and thus have nothing to compare it to, the new State of Play will make a slick, enthralling and well crafted thriller that does exactly what all conspiracy films are meant to – make you doubt the Government even more than you did before.