When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 4 nominations
Robin Wright
- Anne Collins
- (as Robin Wright Penn)
Steve Park
- Chris Kawai
- (as Stephen Park)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector Kevin Macdonald intended the movie to pay homage to All the President's Men (1976) by using the Watergate Hotel and the parking garage as locations.
- GoofsIn the final scene of the printing montage at the end, the sign on the side of the truck says "Washington Post".
- Quotes
Cameron Lynne: I want you to do a complete rundown on this Sonia Baker: who she knew, who she blew, the color of her knickers.
- Crazy creditsThe printing process of a newspaper is shown as the ending credits start to show up.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Screenwipe: Episode #5.3 (2008)
- SoundtracksThe Night Pat Murphy Died
(Traditional)
Arranged by Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett (as Robert Hallett), Séan McCann, Darrell Power
Performed by Great Big Sea
Courtesy of Sonic Entertainment Group and Warner Music Canada Co.
Featured review
I would label this a "decent-but-unmemorable political thriller," something you'd probably enjoy viewing but a few weeks later had forgotten much of it. Usually, movies which star Russell Crowe are more dynamic, although Crowe still mesmerizes as usual.
I liked the twists and turns at the end, but one has to wait about two hours for those and that's a little too long a wait. As slick a production as it was, and with acceptable acting from actor, it was many of the characters here that seemed more like Hollywood stereotypes than real-life people.
There was Crowe with the hippie looks from 30-40 years ago and who has the daring of James Bond; the Washington newspaper editor being a foul-mouthed Brit (crusty Helen Mirren) who uses profane expresses the Americans wouldn't know; the neophyte blogster (Rachel McAdams) being drop-dead gorgeous and getting her way despite tough bosses; the bad guys being anyone connected with the military (man, is that getting old, from Dr. Strangelove to today's films - it never changes), the professional sniper/assassin conveniently missing the good guy (Crowe) although he could kill anyone else......you get the picture - a few too many liberal film clichés. The most realistic character was probably "Rep. Stephen Collins (D-Pa)," played by the least of the actors, Ben Affleck.
As for minor characters, I thought "Dominic Foy," played by Jason Bateman, was fascinating, as was Robin Wright.
Overall, for entertainment purposes it was okay; not something you'd yawn and fall asleep watching, although you might be confused here and there. Through the gimmicks of hyped-up music and sound effects here and there, the suspense was evident throughout the two-plus hours. It's also an interesting look at today's battle between old and new "media," meaning newspapers and the Internet, respectively.
Overall, it's enough to warrant as a purchase at the rental store but not as a blind buy despite the "name" cast.
I liked the twists and turns at the end, but one has to wait about two hours for those and that's a little too long a wait. As slick a production as it was, and with acceptable acting from actor, it was many of the characters here that seemed more like Hollywood stereotypes than real-life people.
There was Crowe with the hippie looks from 30-40 years ago and who has the daring of James Bond; the Washington newspaper editor being a foul-mouthed Brit (crusty Helen Mirren) who uses profane expresses the Americans wouldn't know; the neophyte blogster (Rachel McAdams) being drop-dead gorgeous and getting her way despite tough bosses; the bad guys being anyone connected with the military (man, is that getting old, from Dr. Strangelove to today's films - it never changes), the professional sniper/assassin conveniently missing the good guy (Crowe) although he could kill anyone else......you get the picture - a few too many liberal film clichés. The most realistic character was probably "Rep. Stephen Collins (D-Pa)," played by the least of the actors, Ben Affleck.
As for minor characters, I thought "Dominic Foy," played by Jason Bateman, was fascinating, as was Robin Wright.
Overall, for entertainment purposes it was okay; not something you'd yawn and fall asleep watching, although you might be confused here and there. Through the gimmicks of hyped-up music and sound effects here and there, the suspense was evident throughout the two-plus hours. It's also an interesting look at today's battle between old and new "media," meaning newspapers and the Internet, respectively.
Overall, it's enough to warrant as a purchase at the rental store but not as a blind buy despite the "name" cast.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Sep 20, 2009
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Cuộc Chiến Cân Não
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $60,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $37,017,955
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,071,280
- Apr 19, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $87,812,371
- Runtime2 hours 7 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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