tellurikwaves blog : , CINEMA :Les blessures narcissiques d'une vie par procuration (75 Paris)

Brad Pitt and Edward Norton originally signed on for the movie that would have reunited them for the first time since Fight Club (1999). However, Pitt pulled out before Thanksgiving 2007, when rewrites were made impossible because of the writers' strike. He was replaced by Russell Crowe. Pitt's departure delayed the start of shooting, and made Norton unavailable as he was committed to start shooting Escrocs en herbe (2009) in January. He was replaced by Ben Affleck.

Russell Crowe had Ridley Scott read the script to help him decide if he wanted to make it.

There is a partially hidden photo of real-life Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of 1970's Watergate fame on the wall of McAffrey's cubicle.

During the preproduction phase of filming, several sources reported that Haverford College, a prestigious liberal arts college in the "Main Line" area outside Philadelphia, had been approached for production design and costume items meant to imply that the two main characters, Cal McAffrey and Stephen Collins, had first met while attending Haverford. Although a plaque with the Haverford logo does appear in the background in one scene, there is no further on-screen acknowledgment of the characters' shared alma mater.

The newspapers seen in the movie were printed on the presses of "The Washington Post."

The photos on display behind the desk in Cameron Lynn's office are Helen Mirren's own personal photos and show her with her sister, Kate, and husband Taylor Hackford.

Helen Mirren shot all her scenes in four days.

In the scenes where Cal McAffrey goes to the hospital towards the end of the movie, the building that is used as the hospital is actually the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Brad Pitt nicknamed the film "State of Delay" after being stalled on it.

Cal McAffrey is referred to by one of his colleagues as "Yinzer". This is a reference to a person from Pittsburgh, PA. The term "yinz", or "yinz guys" is a term used by Pittsburghers meaning "you all". This is further supported by the various Steelers paraphernalia in McAffrey's apartment and a Steelers tank top worn by McAffrey.

"The Night That Paddy Murphy Dies" is the song featured in the opening scene of the movie. The song is by Great Big Sea, a band from Newfoundland, Canada. Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea's lead singer, and Russell Crowe are known to be close friends. In previous years, Crowe has been spotted numerous times visiting the province of Newfoundland.

The scene in which Anne Collins (Robin Wright) makes a statement to the press was shot at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The production employed the presence of several real-world journalists amongst the extras in a scene. The group included Bob Woodward, Margaret Carlson, Bob Schieffer, John Palmer, E.J. Dionne Jr., Katty Kay, and Steve Clemons.

Cal refers to his friend, Congressman Stephen Collins, as Sliberty, another reference to Pittsburgh. East Liberty, a section of Pittsburgh, is shortened by natives to Sliberty. It's one of those things by which you know someone is from Pittsburgh.

The scene in which Cal's orders lunch but is then interrupted by his bag getting stolen was shot at Ben's Chili Bowl, a real Washington, D. C. lunch counter that has been open on U Street NW since 1958.

The picturesque open-air fish market used as a location was scheduled for demolition.

Edward Zwick was originally attached to direct but backed out in early stages of development.

Director Kevin Macdonald considered asking Bill Nighy to reprise his role of Cameron but decided to make the character a female instead. Helen Mirren was then cast.

Numerous directors were offered this film. Amongst them were Brian De Palma, Martin Campbell, Richard Linklater, Ang Lee, and Jim Jarmusch.

In the opening scene, Russell Crowe is shown singing "The Night Paddy Murphy Died". In 2008, the band Gaelic Storm released a CD with a track titled "The Night I Punched Russell Crowe", based on what they claim to be a true story that happened to their lead singer, Patrick Murphy.

Director Kevin Macdonald intended the movie to pay homage to "all the president's Men" by using the Watergate Hotel and the parking garage as locations.

After Brad Pitt departed from the film, and before Russell Crowe replaced him, other actors considered for the role of Cal McAffrey were Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and Tom Hanks.

Spoilers

CINEMA :Les blessures narcissiques d'une vie par procuration

©-DR - STATE OF PLAY de Kevin Mac Donald (2009) p8

©-DR- STATE OF PLAY de Kevin Mac Donald (2009) p9

©-DR- STATE OF PLAY de Kevin Mac Donald (2009) fin

© DR - Robin Wright Penn

© DR - Robin Wright Penn