Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is a rising star in Washington; handsome, unflappable and seemingly honorable, he's seen as his party's next presidential nominee. Until, however, his research assistant/mistress is found murdered and damaging secrets come pouring out. Journalist Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe), Collins' old friend, must investigate the murder, and walks headlong into a massive cover-up involving some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures.
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With a tip of the hat to All the President's Men, Kevin Macdonald's "State of Play" updates the investigative-reporter thriller to a post-9/11 age, where corporate greed and war profiteering run amok. The movie doesn't quite work, but even when it's misfiring it has an old-fashioned appeal. (Full review)