(3.5 out of 5 stars)

Whenever you place a large number of named actors in a film together, it is usually a disaster. In this instance, each actor played their part, no matter how small, and provided the movie with exactly what it needed. State of Play follows a reporter who is friends with a congressman who is in political trouble as the lady he was having an affair with is killed and may have been double crossing him on a government contract for war rebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Russell Crowe plays the reporter with many sides to his character…the reporter wanting the best angle, the friend wanting to clear his congressman in trouble, the vigilante wanting to solve the murder before the police to ultimately get the story. Ben Affleck plays the Congressmen reminiscent of his role in Changing Lanes. Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, and Jason Bateman round out the fine cast.

This one keeps you guessing. With so many players, the audience never truly knows who did what. This does not make it confusing, but much more of a whodunit. It has any twists and turns that keeps you watching until the very end. The subject matter may be timely and all too real, but that should not detract from the fact this is a good movie that is worth watching.

Suggested Similar Recommendations: Changing Lanes and Lions for Lambs