From Gayle: I was also in attendance at the test screening of “State of Play” held at the Arclight theater in Sherman Oaks, California. It was held last week on a day which saw very inclement weather. Besides rain and winds, we had so much snow in some areas – it was stranding people. But it was a well attended screening. And despite the weather before it began—it was definitely worth the effort to see it. (I was with Darrin, Marcy, and Allison. Unfortunately Tamara could not hire a snow plow to get to our location. ­) 

I was in a state of exhaustion by the time I got home that night. But I too agree with Marcy and  Darrin that is a excellent film. It is well crafted. Just when you think you could predict a revelation or a twist and turn—it turned you upside down with what was unfolding on the screen. It is definitely funny in many spots—but it is a very good dramatic thriller.  And in some ways it is very timely. Some of the plot seems to come straight off the pages of a newspaper or leap at you from the electronic media. But it is still handled in a fresh manner.  Because this was a test screening—I will not discuss specifics of the plot.  Suffice to say—it is a mystery  thriller, a politico drama, a character study, and as I have already written--it is often fun to watch. And it is very intelligent.  
 
The entire cast does a very good to excellent job. Russell does inhabit the Cal character thoroughly—but I did note a couple of occasions – when a certain look or comment was made—and for that bief moment it reminded me of Russell himself. I love the first time we meet Cal.  There he is driving his Saab while singing and eating. That scene alone is worth the price of admission. There is also a sequence of jeopardy for Cal—which I really liked. Cal is not only a rich character –and a seasoned investigative reporter—but at times a little unorthodox-- . In a slight way he could be compared to Ritchie Roberts—but is definitely not the same character.  I am certain people will love this character as it is presented.

The other actors are very good. I love Helen Mirren’s editor. I did have a little trouble with Jason Bateman’s publicist character –in that he had just played a similar character in “Hancock”. But I did not hate the character either. And I love the relationship between Cal and a cub reporter who gets involved with the assignment. Ben Afflect plays the congressman –who is also a friend of Cal’s . His performance is rather subdued—though there are a couple of scenes in which he is not .

 I can’t comment about the music—as it is still a work in progress.

I have done reviews on  some  other films in the past year—on Murphsplace—and in some cases – I recommended the films but with reservations.(One of the films was Tenderness)  This time I have NO reservations—I love this film.  I can’t wait for its expected distribution in the theaters in April 2009—and already I am thinking how much I will want a copy .