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The Contender 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Rod Lurie
R, 125 min. (strong sexuality, language) |
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Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, Robin Thomas, Mike Binder
Producers: Willi Bär, Marc Frydman, James Spies, D. Urbanski
Screenplay: Rod Lurie
Cinematography: Denis Maloney
Distributor: Dreamworks SKG
Released: 10.13.00 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
The Contender is an appropriate title for this movie. The world of politics can be just as brutal
as a boxer who must sidestep punches and counter-punch his opponent, intent on knocking him out. In an
ever-increasingly partisan environment in Washington, D.C. these days, this picture comes at a good time
to take advantage of the problem. Strong performances by all involved in the film carry it from the realm
of average to memorable.
The movie involves a Vice Presidential designate, Ohio Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen), who faces opposition
from both the opposition party and even her own party, intent on another candidate, Jack Hathaway, becoming
the new Vice President. Heading up the committee to confirm or deny her appointment is Congressman
Sheldon Runyon (Gary Oldman), who is determined to make sure she is defeated and humiliated. He too would
like to see Hathaway as the new Vice President. Because her agenda differs greatly with his own, Runyon
will find any dirt on Hanson from her past to help defeat her. He finds a sex scandal while she is in
college to try and discredit her. Now Hanson must decide to address the issue publicly to defend herself, or
keep quiet, claiming it was "no one else's business".
The confirmation process becomes a high-stakes game between Runyon and the President (Jeff Bridges), who
is intent on adding to his legacy by having the first woman Vice President. What makes the movie stand
out is the strong performances by Bridges, Oldman, and Allen, all of whom are worther of Oscar nomintations.
Gary Oldman's portrayal as the corrupt Runyon is almost guaranteed a nomination. Even Sam Elliott's turn
as the President's top advisor is convincing and gives you an inside look at how things may work in the
Oval Office. How accurate this portrayal of the backroom deals and Washington politics is may be arguable,
but it is plausible.
Director Rod Lurie succeeds in turning a simple process into a first-rate thriller based on character
assasination, which is all too common today in Washington. The Contender is definitely worth investigating.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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