State of Play: See both of them

I barely noticed when State of Play (IMDB | Amazon) was released in theaters. A couple of weeks ago I tried out Amazon's Video on Demand for the first time and that was the movie I picked. I am picky, picky, picky when it comes to mystery/suspense movies and generally go in expecting to be dissatisfied, but this movie rocked. Like any movie, I can pick some holes in it, but the combination of action, mystery and suspense kept me enthralled (it gets a 7.4 at IMDB, which is an excellent rating). And though not a huge Crowe fan, I thought he was awesome here. I think it fortuitous that Brad Pitt backed out...I just can't see him in the role.

Reading up on the movie I discovered it was based on a BBC series by the same name (IMDB | Amazon). The BBC has a reputation for good mystery series (I'm a fan of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries), and their original version gets a 8.7 at IMDB. The six hour span obviously allows for more character development and prolonged suspense.

I think comparing the two, or more to the point, expecting the same things, is like comparing novels to screenplays--it's a lost cause. What is so cool here is that both are wonderful mysteries and the writing is good to great. Given a choice I would suggest you watch the U.S. release first, as I did, because the BBC version expands on it and slows it down.

I now own, and recommend, them both. Oh, and about being a picky mystery viewer, the truth might be that good mystery movies are a rare thing. Of the IMDB Top 50 Mystery Movies:

Only 11 were made in this century (only 1 in the top 10, 3 in the top 20), and 31 came before 1990. Fortunately, great mystery novels are not quite so rare (emphasis on not quite).