STATE OF PLAY is an engrossing, suspenseful, intelligent thriller for adults and mature teens seeking something more than mindless explosions. This movie contains everything that makes a thriller great: it has action, superb acting, believable characters, a great twist, and it packs a big emotional whallop. A caveat: it's not for kids, or even most teens. The plot revolves around solving a conspiracy behind the murder of a Senator's mistress. Therefore, it raises constant statements and questions about the impact of adultery and affairs. In addition to the Senator in question, the main character, a reporter played by Russel Crowe, also has an affair with a married woman (nothing is shown at all). Reference is made to "screwing", "knocking", and "shagging" other people's spouses. In addition, one of Crowe's informants is a known playboy. Various photos of him shirtless with scantily clad women are shown (but no nudity is visible). The same man tries to come on to a woman by saying that he has "a guy and a girl" as sexual partners. Reference is made to a married Senator having a threesome with a man and a woman. Cocktail waitresses are seen in skimpy attire. In addition, there are several sexual innuendos and euphemisms, plus 3 "f" words (two are spoken and one is clearly mouthed) and countless uses of "a*s" and "s**t". "D**k" is used once non-sexually. Two murders are graphically shown in the film's opening, with blood splatter. After that, characters are put into situations of intense peril, but no other violence is shown. The movie raises questions about friendship, fidelity, truth, exposure, and obsession, but most of those issues will fly over the heads of anyone under the age of 16.

Good movie. There are two f**ks and some other words like B***h, S**t, and Da*n it. There is violence that is minor and some sexy stuff. One of the 'f' words is played for laughs, because Helen Mirren is mad and says "F**k you ver much". But Russel Crowe and Rachel McAdams are good roll models because they investigate crimes and help make the world a good place. But it isn't a good message because there is killing and yelling.

Great film to violent for anybody to many words and things that kids should not do and say.