State of Play, directed by Kevin Macdonald, is a crime thriller about the murder of a politician's mistress. The film features Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe./film: State of Play (December 23, 2008)
Casting Notes
Both the Affleck and Crowe roles were originally intended for other actors. The role of the journalist, played by Crowe, was originally intended for Brad Pitt. Pitt withdrew due to artistic disgreements, which delayed production. Edward Norton had been originally cast as the congressman, but was replaced by Affleck due to the schedule change caused by Pitt's pulling out./film: State of Play (December 23, 2008) allmovie: State of Play
Plot Synopsis
Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) is a reporter assigned by his editor (Helen Mirren) to investigate the death of a young women who worked as a research assistant for U.S. congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck0. The investigation is complication by a number of circumstances including: the fact that McCaffrey and Collins were once friends, the dead woman was also Collins' mistress, as well as his assistant, and that Collins is begin mentioned as a possible presidential candidate.
Cast
- Ben Affleck - Stephen Collins
- Russell Crowe - Cal McCaffrey
- Helen Mirren - Cameron Lynne
- Rachel McAdams - Della Frye
- Robin Wright Penn - Anne Collins
- Jason Bateman - Dominic Foy
State of Play Merchandise
- Half.com: State of Play DVD