A potential scandal unites reporters from two schools of journalism in this well-acted drama, inspired by a BBC miniseries and adapted by writers including Tony Gilroy ("Michael Clayton").

Russell Crowe plays a veteran Washington, D.C., newsman on the story of a friend and congressman ( Ben Affleck) whose mistress dies under suspicious circumstances. The pursuit of the truth also comes to involve a blogger ( Rachel McAdams).

Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels, Viola Davis ("Doubt") and Robin Wright Penn also appear for director Kevin Macdonald ("The Last King of Scotland"). DVD extras: "making-of" documentary; deleted scenes. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

Buy 'State of Play' on DVD.