Henry Watched: State of Play

Guess I'm breaking the rules here...


So we don't usually review TV shows here. If we did Sam would have spent the last few months raving about The Wire and 30 Rock and yelling at you for not watching them (and he'd be right). But State of Play is of interest for multiple reasons: 1) It is being adapted as a "major Hollywood picture" staring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, and Rachel McAdams. 2) The director, David Yates, is the directer of the most recent, and next, Harry Potter films. and 3) It is among the best things I've watched recently.

Produced by the BBC in 2003, State of Play is about a team of reporters trying to investigate the case of a murdered 15 year old drug runner and an MC's researcher's suicide. Obviously they discover the truth is far. more. serious. In the mix is the fact that the lead reporter and the MC are best friends. Drama ensues...

Everyone in the cast is from the U.K. and those you might have heard of include Bill Nighy (Notes on a Scandal, Love Actually), James McAvoy (Last King of Scotland, Wanted), and Kelly MacDonald (Trainspotting, No Country For Old Men). But across the board the cast is excellent.

I really can't say much more about the plot but please, please watch this movie (series). I now know how Sam feels when they remake Asian movies that he likes in the States. I am dreading the forthcoming Crowe / Affleck picture. It will be painful after watching this brilliance (and don't get me started on the 2010 bound American Let the Right One In)...but CHECK OUT THIS THING now.

Now.

Grade: A