The Contender

Starring: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, William Peterson, Philip Baker Hall, Saul Rubinek, Sam Elliott
Directed by: Rod Lurie
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Political
Box Office: $17,872,723
2000

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Awards:Academy Awards: 2 Nominations, Best Actress (Joan Allen), Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Bridges)

Summary: The vice-president is dead, and the President, Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges)is faced with appointing a new VP. At first, it seems as if heroic Governor of Virginia Jack Hathaway (William Peterson) will be the first choice. However, the President decides instead on Senator from Ohio, Laine Hanson(Joan Allen). The possibility of the first woman vice-president throws much of Washington into an uproar, including a political rival (Gary Oldman), and a young idealistic Representative (Christian Slater), who feels she does not represent the best choice for the VP. The stakes rise in this political battle, as evidence emerges of a sexual encounter Hanson had in college. As the situation gets worse and worse, we see the best and worst of Washington politics.

Review:

Tim: This is a good movie. First, it has a timely and interesting issue (a woman Vice-President), and is a quick paced, intellgent film. It has an allstar cast, and throws in feelings of true patriotism, morals, and principles.

Jeff Bridges adds so much to this film in his supporting role. He is wonderfully cast as the President, and makes a very believable and respectable Chief of State. Watching him in the film made me feel like he really was the President- and deserved to be. His Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor was well earned.

As if the star potential of Bridges and Allen weren't enough, the film enjoys great performances by Gary Oldman, who truly makes you hate him, Christian Slater, who I'm glad to see back in work (and doing an excellent job), Sam Elliott, who I only wish was on screen more, and William Peterson, who adds an interesting flavor to the mix.

This film requires you to sit and watch, and pay a fair amount of attention to. It is very smartly written, and a very intelligent film all around. While at times it can be slow and cumbersome, it is worth it to stick it out to the climactic end. The film tends to glorify politics a bit, but it portrays it as a very exciting business- truly a chess game. It is incredible to sit and watch multiple politicians manuevre and battle their opponents. Besides the entertainment factor, the incredible acting, and the stands on patriotism and several important issues in modern day America, this film will give you an very interesting look at the game of politics.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Nixon, The American President, White Squall