Talk:State of Play (film)

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Former good article nomineeState of Play (film) was a Media and drama good articles nominee, but did not meet the good article criteria at the time. There may be suggestions below for improving the article. Once these issues have been addressed, the article can be renominated. Editors may also seek a reassessment of the decision if they believe there was a mistake.
Article milestones
DateProcessResult
October 13, 2011Good article nomineeNot listed
Did You Know
A fact from this article appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the "Did you know?" column on January 24, 2008.
The text of the entry was: Did you know ...that the film State of Play, which began principal photography on January 11, 2008 with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in the lead roles, was originally set to star Brad Pitt and Edward Norton?

Citations[edit]

Filming locations and dates in Washington D.C., apparently. I haven't checked the links yet to see if they're reliable or even if they contain anything useful, so I'm dumping these here until I get the chance:

  • March 19 - the east side of the 2000 block of 13th, and including Ben Ali Way and part of the north side of the 1200 block of U Street. Source
  • March 28 - Mt. Pleasant St. between Lamont St. and Park Rd and Lamont Street NW between Mt. Pleasant and 16th Sts.
  • March 29 - Mt. Pleasant St. between Lamont St. and Park Rd and Lamont Street NW between Mt. Pleasant and 16th Sts.
  • March 30 - Mt. Pleasant St. between Lamont St. and Park Rd and Lamont Street NW between Mt. Pleasant and 16th Sts. Source for last three

Toodle pip! Steve T • C 16:45, 6 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Filming done night of April 3 - Wisconsin Ave between N and M. Stunt scene involving a minor character running across a street, getting hit by a taxi and then running into a scooter. I understand other filming was done in this location on other dates/times, but this is the only one of which I have personal knowledge. Karinagw (talk) 16:08, 6 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

ummm...I may not have a link to substantiate my contribution, but unless they cut the scene, I will be on the screen in way too huge glory. Will that count? Karinagw (talk) 04:05, 16 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Better:

  • Amy Argetsinger, Roxanne Roberts (2008-03-06). "Honey, They Shrunk the Chief of Staff's Car!". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-03-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) "The cast and crew of State of Play will finally unpack and begin a month's worth of shooting in Washington today."

More. Steve T • C 08:17, 7 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Struck used. Steve T • C 11:19, 7 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]
  • This is in case the reliability of using a school newspaper as a cite is questioned at some point in the future (second story down). Steve T • C 17:26, 6 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]
  • Alex Heffes, Tommy Pearson (April 2008). [http:// www.stageandscreenonline.com/_Media/AlexHeffes.mp3 Interview with Alex Heffes] (mp3) (Audio interview). Stage and Screen Online. Retrieved 2008-04-22. {{cite AV media}}: Check |url= value (help) "Alex Heffes first came to international prominence with his evocative score to the Oscar-winning documentary, One Day in September, directed by Kevin MacDonald. Heffes and MacDonald have gone on to collaborate on Touching the Void and The Last King of Scotland and are currently working on the big-screen adaptation of State of Play. Other movie credits include The Parole Officer, Out of Reach, Sweeney Todd and the controversial documentary The Bridge. Heffes talks to Tommy Pearson about all these films, and his career so far, in a 40 minute interview." – Steve T • C 09:42, 22 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Cast section[edit]

Can I suggest that the Cast section be a list instead of a table? Tables tend to limit content to basic information, like with the current attributes of actor and role. Lists, in my experience, are more appropriate because character descriptions and real-world context about the roles can be added with ease. See Sunshine (2007 film)#Characters and The Dark Knight (film)#Cast for a couple of examples of how lists work. —Erik (talk • contrib) - 17:29, 26 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Cheers, done. Steve T • C 19:43, 26 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Bits and bobs[edit]

"John Simm, the star of Clocking Off, Sex Traffic and Life on Mars, is widely considered to be one of the best television actors to emerge in recent years. But he has been sidelined by Hollywood in the film version of one of his biggest successes, the political thriller State of Play. In the latest example of the trend for British actors to be replaced by Americans, it was revealed yesterday that Brad Pitt is due to take the lead role in the film remake of the serial, a critical and commercial success for the BBC."

"Liz Thomas, a writer on television for The Stage newspaper said the making of the film was a good advertisement for British television, although the choice of Pitt was 'frustrating' for domestic actors such as Simm. She said: 'British TV is certainly very hip in Hollywood these days and, despite criticisms that the Americans do drama better, pieces like State of Play show we can more than hold our own. Thankfully, Abbott is executive producer on the film so the gripping plot and beautifully crafted dialogue won't be lost in translation.' She added: 'The good thing about reworking the show into a big-budget, high-profile film is that it is a huge advert or shop window for the sort of things that have come out of the UK in recent years, particularly given the smaller budgets. Brad Pitt will be a huge draw and commercially this makes sense. But, of course, it is frustrating that, given the wealth of acting talent available, that it isn't a Brit.'"

Steve T • C 19:44, 26 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Definitely can be worked into it. I think it's relevant. Go for it. —Erik (talk • contrib) - 02:17, 27 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Release date[edit]

Is a 2008 release date really confirmed at this point? IMDb estimates the release years of upcoming films, and considering that this film has had its share of delays, it may not come out till 2009. Any citation that mentions the intent to release in 2008? —Erik (talk • contrib) - 23:08, 20 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

One of the Variety cites originally mentioned it, but that may have changed since the postponement. I'll have a look, and if I can't find a cite dated 2008 I'll remove the information. Steve T • C 08:09, 21 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]
OK, the Working Title website says 2009; I'll update now. Cheers, Steve T • C 08:33, 21 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Templates[edit]

I noticed that some references use the {{cite web}} template, where the rest of them use {{cite news}}. The ones using cite web should be changed, because from what I can tell, they're news sources as opposed to dynamic pages like Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes. —Erik (talk • contrib) - 15:03, 25 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Color guard photo[edit]

It would be brilliant if anyone knows which photograph Macdonald is talking about here:

Macdonald's aim was to recreate a famous 1970s Canadian photograph, which depicts rifle-twirling majorettes, in order to emphasize militaristic themes and to comment upon the place of guns in American society.

The article could use a decent image or two to spruce it up, and I think it'd pass the fair use requirements, especially once the film is out and we can do a side-by-side comparison. Steve T • C 19:05, 27 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe you can inquire at WP:RD/H? —Erik (talk • contrib) - 19:09, 27 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Excellent! I didn't even think of that. Thanks, Steve T • C 22:04, 27 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Intro too long[edit]

No need to summarise the production information in the introduction as it is included in the article in detail. Keep the intro short and sweet, preferably less than the recommended three paragraph suggested maximum. Removed information included here because even though I don't think it is necessary I'm explaining my reasons and not trying and bury in the History. -- Horkana (talk) 11:35, 13 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

State of Play is produced by Andell Entertainment and Working Title Films for Universal Pictures, which acquired the rights after they were subject to two bidding wars. Brad Pitt was to star in the role ultimately filled by Crowe, but he left the production after disagreements with the studio over the direction of script rewrites. Pitt's departure led to the postponement of filming, which was originally scheduled to start in November 2007. The delay meant that Edward Norton could not play the role of the Congressman due to a scheduling conflict, and he was replaced by Affleck. Principal photography took place from January 11, 2008 to April 6, 2008 in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. State of Play was to be released in the United States towards the end of 2008, but the production delay saw the date changed to April 17, 2009.

Premise[edit]

Did the person who wrote the premise watch the movie? It has a lot errors. I just watched it this morning "ambitions to become his party's presidential candidate" this is never mentioned in the film. "while right-wing opponents to Collins' campaign for social reform attempt to use the scandal to kill his political career." This never happened in the film either. "Collins' former campaign manager," never mentioned in the film. They mention they were roomates in college. "becoming romantically involved with the Congressman's estranged wife (Wright Penn) in the process." This doesn't happen during the film either. It is mentioned that they had an affair in the past but not during the movie. The premise is practically completely wrong. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.237.180.179 (talk) 23:51, 16 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I wrote it, and I agree with you. The premise was written long before the film was completed, and was based simply upon plot points that were mentioned in the press coverage the film's development received. If you want to have a stab at writing a full plot summary, go right ahead. Otherwise, I'll see if I can pull together some quotes from more recent (and hopefully accurate) coverage to craft a new "Premise" section. Thanks again, Steve T • C 07:19, 17 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

order of battle[edit]

Crowe's sidekick should be listed higher as she's the principle supporting part. Andrewjlockley (talk) 23:16, 22 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, I would say her role is that of the lead actress. 211.225.34.177 (talk) 00:59, 27 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No mention of Blackwater?[edit]

I think it is quite obvious that PointCorp is a fictionalized version of Blackwater. Shouldn't this be mentioned? Koszper gabor (talk) 14:13, 21 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No problem; rustle up a reliable cite and we'll add it in. All the best, Steve T • C 14:17, 21 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It should be mentioned that Sonia Baker was played by Maria Thayer[edit]

It should be mentioned that Sonia Baker was played by Maria Thayer —Preceding unsigned comment added by 132.161.220.38 (talk) 00:49, 12 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Dan Brown[edit]

Having just watched the film, was Dan Brown (the author) in the film, possibly playing the role of the COE of PointCorp at the Senate hearings, a Dan Brown was named in the credits at the end? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Frannyb1956 (talk • contribs) 14:56, 5 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No. That Ole Cheesy Dude (Talk to the hand!) 23:15, 23 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Irrelevant footnote?[edit]

The footnote Roger Moore (2008-12-23). "No doubt, actress impresses". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company). http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/movies/orl-violadavis08dec23,0,7794630.story. Retrieved 2008 seems to be entirely about an actress who is not listed as being in SoP. I could find no mention of SoP in the link. 211.225.34.177 (talk) 00:54, 27 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's there, briefly (last two paragraphs). Although, because it says Davis' role is a "single-scene turn", maybe we should still remove it? Steve T • C 01:00, 27 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Omission of key scenes in plot[edit]

In comparison to plots of other films i have read on Wikipedia, I believe that the plot omits key details. The congressman is shown a tape of the PR man's revelations, after which he proceeds to physcally assault him. I think this i a key part of the plot since it leads to the congressman's selective revelations later at the newspaper, the comment by his wife and the realization by McAffrey that the couple knew of Sonia Baker's work for PointCorp before the PR man's tape. I think the plot should be slightly updated to include this informationat at least. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.190.90.35 (talk) 23:45, 2 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Very End: the flash[edit]

The last scene shows the truck full of the breaking-story newspapers. There is a mystifying flash, followed by the scene going erratically black as though the camera were knocked out. Have found no source or site discussing this anomaly, and am strongly inclined to think it's meant to depict that the company decided to destroy the entire building rather than have the bad press leak out. Everyone in the know about the scandal was in the building at the time, and the truck and contents would be destroyed. Nobody mentions this odd, and otherwise pointless, visual effect. JohndanR (talk) 22:11, 30 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Casting[edit]

"The majority of Crowe's three hours per day in hair and makeup preparation was spent hiding his "extremely long" hair, which he grew for his roles as Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham in Nottingham." Matthew MacFadyen played the sheriff in the film which was called Robin Hood on release. Was Crowe originally cast as both characters or is this plain wrong? TheOneOnTheLeft (talk) 06:58, 14 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

GA Review[edit]

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Reviewing
This review is transcluded from Talk:State of Play (film)/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: DeadlyAssassin (talk · contribs) 11:03, 13 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Rate Attribute Review Comment
1. Well-written:
1a. the prose is clear, concise, and understandable to an appropriately broad audience; spelling and grammar are correct.

It's really pretty good, just a few things stuck out at me:

  • "The original was written by ..." : The original what?
  • "Brad Pitt had a long association with the part." : Which part?
  • "The railcars cost the production $1,000 per hour, for at least 10 hours use." Not referenced, and use of at least is a bit generic.
  • "Scenes were filmed at the Watergate complex, for which the production was granted permission to use the roof of a George Washington University campus building." : Not clear, did they shoot the GWU roof as if it was Watergate, or did they shoot from the roof onto Watergate?
1b. it complies with the Manual of Style guidelines for lead sections, layout, words to watch, fiction, and list incorporation.
  • There is at least one contraction - e.g. ...but because the script didn't explicitly show...
  • Lead section is a bit short. The article is 59k, WP:LEAD suggests 3-4 paragraphs.
  • Reference inside the punctuation: ...which McAffrey interrogates Dominic Foy[73].
  • You could think of dividing the article into some sub pages - WP:LENGTH suggests that it could do with this, but it's optional as the article is generally in summary style.
  • I'm not a big fan of the serial comma, but have discovered that this is more commonly used in American English than I'm used to e.g. "by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Peter Morgan, and Billy Ray."
  • The bullets in the cast section should either end in a full stop (.) or not, at the moment some do, some don't.
2. Verifiable with no original research:
2a. it contains a list of all references (sources of information), presented in accordance with the layout style guideline.
  • There are a number of broken links or ones that require registration. Please refer to checklinks to see the full list (I'll put the link below as it breaks the template if I do it here), but here are the ones I saw that were problematic: 3, 6, 47, 5, 59, 84. There may be others.
2b. reliable sources are cited inline. All content that could reasonably be challenged, except for plot summaries and that which summarizes cited content elsewhere in the article, must be cited no later than the end of the paragraph (or line if the content is not in prose).
2c. it contains no original research.
3. Broad in its coverage:
3a. it addresses the main aspects of the topic.
  • Could be improved though if there are there any sources which analyse the film in terms of what was going on at the time e.g. Blackwater USA.
3b. it stays focused on the topic without going into unnecessary detail (see summary style).

As mentioned in above, it could possibly do with being spun out a bit or reduced, some sections are really quite in depth and not necessarily summary style, the story of the involvement/non-involvement of Brad Pitt sticks out here.

4. Neutral: it represents viewpoints fairly and without editorial bias, giving due weight to each.
5. Stable: it does not change significantly from day to day because of an ongoing edit war or content dispute.
6. Illustrated, if possible, by media such as images, video, or audio:
6a. media are tagged with their copyright statuses, and valid non-free use rationales are provided for non-free content.
6b. media are relevant to the topic, and have suitable captions.
  • If anything, could do with more images but those that are there are relevant.
7. Overall assessment. An excellent article, well written and very (almost too?) in-depth. The broken references is a particular problem - checklinks (below) could help sort those out. I'll put it on hold and will watch this page once the cleanup has happened.

Checklinks: [1]

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Possible Significant Plot Element Omission[edit]

Hi. I know I'm a little to the game. Upon re-screening State of Play (film), I noticed something that might have significant effects on story, character motivations and thematic elements. In the final scene, Cal McCaffrey (Russell Crowe) appears to finalize the article which sums the plot, as "experienced" in this film's world. Of course I paused and read it's entirety as best I could, and noticed it states "..when police went to arrest Bingham (Michael Berresse) at his Northern Virginia apartment last night, he was found dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. {scene 1:56:30}. However (in the edit i saw), Bingham was gunned down by police as he tried to kill McCaffrey outside of Stephen Collins' (Ben Affleck) office {scene 1:49:40}. This may indicate a late change to the film, leading to a subsequent oversight during the final edit, or an overlooked intentional plot element, hinting at a yet another conspiracy and a level of corruption within the newspaper, or a run-of-mill alternate ending; or maybe a misunderstanding on my part. If anyone can confirm either way, and let me know if it is something worth adding to the wiki, please let me know; i would be happy to investigate further add it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by VoicemailRadio (talk • contribs) 11:20, 2 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Music "moon"?[edit]

There is an incomprehensible reference to "moon" in the music section. Perhaps a person of that surname?Rozsaphile1 (talk) 13:47, 3 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

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