Get played

Yeah, yeah I know everyone is frothing at the mouth for the new Star Trek movie (courtesy of JJ Abrams) which comes out tomorrow. However, I’m amped for this time in three weeks when one of the top five movies I’m most looking forward to in `09 is released. Which one is that you ask? And why do I continue to make such superfluous lists? The flick is called State Of Play and no doubt you’ve heard a bit about it since Russel Crowe has made the bold move of playing a journalist on screen, even though he despises them in real life. Adapted from the BBC mini-series of the same name, Brad Pitt was originally cast in the lead role but politely dropped out due to creative differences. Luckily major up and coming director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King Of Scotland, Touching The Void) had his heart set on Crowe for the role and just days after sending him the script and flying to Oz for a chat, Macdonald was able to secure the deal. State Of Play is about Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffrey who works alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress. The always admirable Ben Affleck plays said congressman and Rachel McAdams makes another strong career move as an online reporter working with McAffrey on the story. Throw in dramatic heavy weights Helen Mirren as Washington Globe editor and Robin Wright Penn as the congressman’s wife (plus Jason Bateman for good measure) and you have a hell of a cast. And the plot! Developing the critically applauded mini-series in to a feature film was said to be impossible given the intricate plot turns, conspiracies and outright complicated nature but Crowe himself said the script is nothing short of brilliant. In an interview with The Weekend Australian, Crowe said this about the script and why he choose to do the movie; “I have a basic rule: if I read something and I have a physical reaction to it – goosebumps, or a tear in my eye – then I do that film.” Script brilliance? Check. Stellar cast? Check check. I have my own basic rule and that’s if I see a trailer and I have a physical reaction to it – goosebumps, or a tear in my eye, spontaneously self-combusting – then I see that film. End of discussion. Let me just say, the State Of Play trailer gave me major goosebumps (like, blind people could read them braille-style goosebumps). View the trailer here. Films about journalism are few and far between yet most of them are superb. State Of Play looks no different and you can bet you’re bottom dollar I will be at the front of the queue come May 28. Plus, you have to dig the tagline (find the truth) and All The Presidents Men-esque poster.