20 for 2009 State of Play

Life got in the way on Thursday so I wasn't able to do a 20 for 2009 so I'll be popping 2 out today. State of Play this morning and another this evening. Indeed statistically I was likely to hit another Helen Mirren film and here we go.

Admittedly we only have supporting Helen in this one but that's better than no Helen at all.

State of Play is a big screen remake of an acclaimed BBC drama series, which tragically I missed, which follows an investigative reporter looking into the mysterious death of the girlfriend/aide of a former buddy who's now rising in the ranks of politics. The mast cast is filled out by Russell Crowe as the journalist and Ben Affleck as the congressman, although they were both called in to replace the rather more exciting duo of Brad Pitt and Ed Norton.

Here's the trailer:





OK, the trailer is slightly pedestrian, but I think this is just a bad cut. The pedigree is excellent. The script has been worked on by Tony Gilroy, of the Bourne trilogy, and Billy Ray who wrote and directed Shattered Glass.

Also the supporting cast is interesting. Joining Helen Mirren is Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis and Jeff Daniels.