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Exploring the Impact of ‘State of Play’ in the Landscape of Political Thrillers

The 2009 political thriller State of Play features Russell Crowe as Cal McAffrey, a tenacious journalist in Washington, D.C., who investigates the mysterious death of Sonia Baker, a congressional aide and mistress to Congressman Stephen Collins, portrayed by Ben Affleck. This film, which is adapted from a renowned 2003 British miniseries, initially had Brad Pitt attached to the lead role. However, he departed the project just one week before filming was scheduled to commence in November 2007.

In the wake of Pitt’s exit, director Kevin Macdonald traveled to Australia to recruit Crowe, who was preparing for the role of Robin Hood with an uncharacteristically long hairstyle. The delay in the filming of Robin Hood inadvertently allowed Crowe to step into the role of McAffrey on short notice, giving him less than two months to immerse himself in the character.

Crowe’s portrayal of the scruffy, seasoned reporter raises questions about what Pitt would have brought to the role. While they may share a similar age, Crowe’s evolution into a more rugged character contrasts sharply with Pitt’s enduring youthful persona. This divergence is particularly noticeable in films like the 2017 war satire War Machine, where Crowe makes a striking cameo as a grizzled general, quite different from Pitt’s idealistic character.

‘State of Play’ Is a Smart and Twisty Political Thriller

State of Play channels the essence of classic 1970s political thrillers, particularly in its examination of the intricate relationship between journalism and politics. Crowe’s character, Cal McAffrey, finds himself deeply enmeshed in a web of personal loyalties as he investigates Baker’s suspicious demise. The case is complicated further by his long-standing friendship with Collins, complicating his role as an impartial journalist. When Collins admits to his affair with Baker, McAffrey is confronted with a moral dilemma that blurs the lines between friendship and professional duty.

A central theme of State of Play is the evolving nature of journalism itself. McAffrey is depicted as a traditional reporter whose position at the Washington Globe, a fictional newspaper, becomes precarious after it’s sold to a large corporate entity. During his investigation, McAffrey connects Baker’s death to PointCorp, a dubious defense contractor. Initially, both he and Collins suspect this corporation of foul play, given that Baker had been leaking information on Collins’ behalf—actions she subsequently declined to continue.

However, throughout McAffrey’s probing journey, the lines between deception and truth become dangerously blurred. His vulnerabilities are exploited by Collins and Anne, Collins’ wife and McAffrey’s former love interest, who systematically navigate McAffrey toward a narrative that favors their self-interest and ultimately involves a multitude of murders.

Brad Pitt Left ‘State of Play’ Over Creative Differences

Brad Pitt’s illustrious career took off with his role in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise, and he has since been renowned for his meticulous selection of projects and collaborators. When he agreed to star in State of Play, it was largely due to his admiration for the original British miniseries and the strong track record of director Kevin Macdonald, who had previously directed the Academy Award-winning film The Last King of Scotland.

However, as production approached, Pitt’s enthusiasm for the project waned amid creative disputes and unanticipated script modifications, exacerbated by the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. He proposed postponing the project until the strike ended to allow for additional script revisions. When Universal, the studio behind the film, made it clear that this would not be feasible, Pitt opted to withdraw, forfeiting a $20 million salary.

‘State of Play’ Marked a Transition Point in Russell Crowe’s Career

Despite a production budget of $60 million, State of Play grossed nearly $89 million worldwide and received a generally favorable critical reception. For Russell Crowe, who was 45 at the film’s release, it marked a significant pivot toward more understated roles in the years that followed. This trend can be observed in his later ventures into horror, including low-cost films such as The Exorcism and The Pope’s Exorcist.

On the other hand, Ben Affleck emerged as a key success story from State of Play. His performance in the film, coupled with his directorial debut in Gone Baby Gone, represented a turning point in a career that many considered to be waning. Following State of Play, Affleck solidified his comeback with successful projects like The Town and the Best Picture-winning Argo. State of Play is currently available for streaming on Hulu with Cinemax.

Source
movieweb.com