State of Play
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The Story
Cal McAffrey (Russell Crowe), a rumpled old-school newspaper journalist, faces pressure from his editor (Helen Mirren) to use his friendship with a congressman (Ben Affleck) caught in a breaking sex-and-suicide scandal to get to the bottom of the story.
When the story seems to be connected to a shooting he is also covering, Cal starts digging in earnest. Working with a young blogger for the paper (Rachel McAdams), Cal starts to put the pieces together on what looks to be a giant conspiracy involving a Blackwater-style security corporation under investigation by Congress.
Navigating his complicated relationships with the congressman, the congressman’s wife (Robin Wright Penn), and a local police detective, Cal gets caught in the crossfire of bullets and lies in his search to help his friend, get the story, and sell some papers.
Content Issues
Regular harsh language includes uses of God’s and Jesus’ names for swearing, as well as some crass sexual dialogue. Pictures show people in underwear and sexual situations, and the whole case revolves around an adulterous affair. Several characters are shot and killed on camera; lots of alcohol is consumed.
Worldview Talking Points
Based on a 2003 BBC miniseries, “State of Play” may not appeal to many teens, other than those naturally interested in complex political thrillers or someone in the cast. It’s a 70s-style journalism-and-corruption film with just enough action to provide a fairly satisfying diversion for the right audience.
Still, it raises several interesting worldview questions: What is the value of journalists in our modern era, especially those of the old-school investigative newspaper variety? What are we losing as the resources disappear to keep those kinds of journalists doing their jobs?
And maybe the larger question: Is anybody above corruption, either in government or working in journalism? Is anyone trustworthy? If not, how can we know what or who to trust in the mountain of media that falls on us every day?
If your teen has seen the film and is interested in these questions, a few of the talking points below might produce some teachable moments about truth, wisdom, and credibility.
- Did you like “State of Play”? What other movies is it like that you’ve seen? What are some of your favorite Russell Crowe films?
- Were you surprised by any of the plot twists in the film? Did you ever get lost with what was really going on?
- Why do you think so many newspapers are losing money and closing their doors? Do you think that’s a bad thing—or just the logical next step because of the Internet?
- What do you think is really valuable about a good journalist? Why is it important for society that we have journalists with integrity out there doing a good job finding and telling the truth about news events?
- Would you have any interest in ever working as a journalist? Why or why not?
- Do you think most journalists are trustworthy? What are some reasons journalists might “shade” a story in one direction or another?
- Is there any way that we can really know what’s going on in the world? How can having God’s kind of wisdom help us to figure out what’s true and what’s not?
- How do we get wisdom, discernment, and understanding?
- Why do you think so many politicians end up doing corrupt things? Why is that temptation to lie and break the rules so powerful with people in government office?
- Do you think any politicians are completely trustworthy? Why or why not?
- Would you ever be interested in becoming a politician with the goal of keeping your integrity serving others? Why or why not?
- What would be the value of becoming a journalist or politician of real moral and ethical integrity?
- Who do you personally trust to understand what’s going on in the world and tell you about it?
- Who do you personally trust to never, ever lie to you?
- What would it take for you to build a reputation as a wise, understanding, discerning person who would not lie, no matter what? Why would it be valuable to have a reputation like that?
