by Dusty Fincher

Created on: September 16, 2009

It's said they don't make this type of movie much anymore in lieu of the special effect blockbusters and raunchy comedies that permeate the theaters these days and it's a shame. There's something refreshing about watching a bunch of well known actors (Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Robin Wright Penn, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren) navigate a well written and directed dramatic thriller.

Russell Crowe is the old school newspaper man who takes a blogger (another interesting kind of side theme to the movie, the death of the classic newspaper and the rise of internet news) under his wing to investigate a scandal involving Ben Affleck's congressman who just happens to be an old roommate and friend of his. It's interesting to watch him juggle going after the story while at the same time watching out for his buddy's interest.

Despite the fact that this could have turned into a boring movie, there's an energy to it, an unease that permeates through the movie that keeps you glued to it, watching these people uncover bits and facts and try to put it all together and then the movie takes you where you didn't expect it to, using the relationships established before to put a twist on everything that went down earlier. (What a run on sentence that turned out to be). It's a dramatic thriller, but it's kind of paced like an action movie with a musical score that keeps the energy flowing. I really liked this movie and it'd be nice to see more of it's ilk being put on screens nowadays.

ACTING:

Russell Crowe: Crowe's a solid actor and there's nothing surprising about his performance here. It's good. He's a slob, has shaggy hair and is constantly surrounded by clutter. An actor noted for his tough guy persona really does come off as a shlub of a reporter. A smart reporter, but still a bit of an unorganized mess.

Rachel McAdams: I generally enjoy her in anything I see her in and this is no exception. She successfully brings together her character's inexperience and smarts into one package to be a valuable help to the more seasoned Crowe.

Ben Affleck: The always maligned Mr. Affleck. Sigh. I really do think this guy gets a bad rap. He's really not that bad and is pretty good in this movie. He starts out as this hard charging young congressman and as the movie goes on, you find out more about him and his relationship to Crowe and he plays these little moments very well.

Helen Mirren: Crowe and McAdam's boss reminds me a bit of Judi Dench's "M" in the Brosnan and Craig Bond movies. She trusts her star newsman, but she's not above cutting him down with a sharp comment. With and acid wit and tough personality, she's the type of boss you don't wanna tick off but are glad to have at your back.

Top notch action, directing and writing: A pleasure to watch.

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