Crowe thriller tops UK box office

Russell Crowe plays reporter Cal McAffrey in the movie

Drama State of Play, starring Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Dame Helen Mirren, has entered the UK and Ireland film chart at number one.

The crime thriller made £1.5m in its first weekend, dislodging animation Monsters vs Aliens from the top spot.

The Uninvited and Observe and Report were other new entries, landing at seven and eight respectively.

In The Loop, based on satirical comedy The Thick of It, was the only film to climb in the chart, to number six.

The film performed well despite being shown at only 151 screens, less than half of its rivals.

UK BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE

1 State of Play - £1.5m

2 Monsters vs Aliens - £1.087m

3 Fast and Furious - £1.052m

4 17 Again - £1.025m

5 I Love You, Man - £708,071

Source: Screen International

Vin Diesel caper Fast and Furious, Zac Efron comedy 17 Again and I Love You, Man all slid in the box office ratings.

State of Play is a big screen remake of a BBC political thriller, which earned its star Bill Nighy a best actor Bafta.

Brad Pitt was originally slated to star in the film, but pulled out of the project over concerns about the script.

The movie is directed by Kevin MacDonald, whose other credits include Idi Amin drama The Last King of Scotland.

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