Product: State Of Play (2008)
Rating: 5.0
A Top-Notch Political Murder Mystery
Forget the lame 2009 movie; the 2003 BBC miniseries that inspired it is the keeper. Think of it as an updated and sexier version of All The President's Men, but you can't guess how it ends.I first saw this excellent six-part political murder mystery in the UK, where it enthralled everyone. It deserved the gaggle of BAFTAs it won that year. I'm delighted to have it now on DVD, especially as it features commentary for the first and last episodes.The extremely complex story starts with a bang, literally: two supposed drug-related shootings and the apparent suicide of a House of Commons researcher occur on the same morning in modern-day London. The plot thickens as these seemingly disparate incidents begin to mesh together and involve a rising MP. We tag along as two newspaper investigative journalists assigned to cover the stories dig deep to expose the truth as they navigate through a sea of lies and top-down opposition. This is a dizzy roller coaster ride that requires seat belts and rapt attention, right up to the final scene.Everything works superbly: the writing, direction, acting, production design, camera work, editing and music are all first rate. Whoever assembled the large company of British actors for this show deserves a thank-you note for making some inspired choices. John Simm and Kelly MacDonald are spot on as the hard-working reporters hot on the trail of a scoop; Bill Nighy is a delight as their tough-minded, tart-tongued editor (he gets the best lines and pitches them perfectly); James McAvoy is the charming, scrappy outsider who joins the team; Marc Warren is hilarious as the weasily lobbyist with the IQ of a Christmas tree bulb (love the coat); Polly Walker is the cuckolded politician's wife who is attracted to Simm's character on the rebound; and David Morrissey (be still, my heart!) is splendid as the tall, attractive MP caught in the maelstrom.A suggestion: If you're unfamiliar with modern British slang or Scots accents, then consider watching About A Boy and Gosford Park before tackling State Of Play. The latter film will introduce you to Kelly MacDonald's strong Glaswegian accent.