State of Play

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 2/25/2008

BBC/WARNER
Street: Feb. 26
Prebook: now
> Outstanding British political miniseries offers thrills, suspense and intricacies.

A popular and critically acclaimed British TV miniseries, State of Play focuses on a journalist (John Simm) and his caustic editor (Bill Nighy) as they attempt to solve a mystery linked to seemingly unrelated deaths. That both turn out to be murders isn’t nearly as shocking as the subsequent revelations that point to nefarious goings-on between the government and major corporate powers. A sort of All The President’s Men/Syriana hybrid, State of Play’s outstanding story and script, delivered by a fine cast, elevates what could have been an acceptable miniseries to a political thriller par excellence.

Shelf Talk: State of Play debuted on this side of the pond on BBC America in 2004 and was lauded here nearly as much as it was abroad. Those who caught the original stateside broadcast are sure to be interested in another go-round and will create some solid word-of-mouth along the way. Stars Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean), Polly Walker (TV’s Rome) and James McAvoy (Atonement) in particular have picked up substantial followings over the last few years. Most important, though, is that a Universal Pictures feature film adaptation of the show starring Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren is slated for release in 2009.

Crime drama, color, NR (mature themes, violence, language), 360 min., DVD $34.98
Extras: cast/crew commentary
Director: David Yates
First Run: BBC-TV, May 2003