Product: State Of Play (2008)
Rating: 5.0
Ripping Newspaper Yarn!
I discovered the BBC series (from Amazon reviews) only after watching the Hollywood film, which pales in comparison. In fact, the BBC series, "State of Play," was so good that I sat for 360 minutes watching it in its entirety. As suspenseful as it is well acted, this intelligent political thriller had me riveted to my television set, to such an extent that I could think of doing nothing else until the plot with all its complex twists unfolded to its conclusion. I can hardly wait to play the commentaries of episodes one and six (but not tonight--or rather, this morning).I especially enjoyed the performances of John Simm as the persistent, but conflicted, investigative reporter; Bill Nighy in his inimitable persona as the crusty managing editor; and James McAvoy as the son, whom Nighy deigns to hire as long as the young man uses his mother's maiden name. All the characters were well developed and one came to care about them (although the Member of Parliament at the center of the budding scandal, was cast in what I think was a thankless role in that he emerged as a bit of a whiner).The BBC has provided English subtitles, so that not a word of the fast-paced script will be missed.I recommend this engrossing suspense yarn for anyone who likes to be kept on the edge of one's seat for six hours that will seem to fly by.