The Contender (film) Totally Explained

Everything about The Contender Film totally explained

The Contender (2000) is a political thriller directed by Rod Lurie about a U.S. Democratic President and the events surrounding his appointment of a new Vice President.

Story

"Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot."
The President, in the wake of his Vice President's death, is seeking the confirmation of his replacement. President Evans considers nominating a loyal Governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway, to the position. However, when Hathaway witnesses a car drive off a bridge, tries to save the driver and fails, the President drops him, claiming that his administration can't afford another Chappaquiddick. The President then nominates a talented female Senator as his vice president, only to see her accused of sexual immorality by Republicans, possibly with the help of his first choice for VP. Refusing to dignify the ever-escalating attacks with a response, the Vice Presidential nominee poses a tough question: would having adventuresome sex as a college student even be an issue at all if she were a man?

Cast and characters

Gary Oldman as Rep. Sheldon Runyon (R-IL). Runyon is a conservative Republican who leads the attack on the nominee, namely by leaking rumors on the Internet, overseeing accusations of prostitution, and challenging the nominee's liberal position on abortion.

Joan Allen as Sen. Laine Billings Hanson (D-OH). The nominee for Vice President. She is a Republican-turned-Democrat who fiercely guards her privacy, although it's later revealed the rumours surrounding her personal life are false. A coincidence is that Joan Allen had one of her very first jobs ever as an actress working for producer Douglas Urbanski in Chicago in the late 1970's.

Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans. In the DVD commentary, Lurie explained the President doesn't have a confrontational personality, but relies on his charm to achieve his aims. Lurie's first choice was Paul Newman. Producer Douglas Urbanski objected to that idea and suggested Jeff Bridges instead.

Christian Slater as Rep. Reginald Webster (D-DE). A Democrat who allies with Runyon to defeat the nominee. He later allies with the President.

Sam Elliott as Chief of Staff Kermit Newman. Inside man to Jackson Evans, Democratic watch dog, and is President Evans' most trusted aide. Oversees Senator Hanson's confirmation for the Presidency.

William Petersen as Governor Jack Hathaway (D-VA). A popular Democrat and the President's heir-apparent. He has good relations with Runyon and is Runyon's preference for the Vice Presidency. Hathaway is also motivated by his decidedly ambitious wife.

Saul Rubinek as Jerry Toliver. He is a Democrat and Press Secretary to President Evans.

Philip Baker Hall as Oscar Billings. He is Laine Hanson's father and former Republican Governor of Ohio.

Mike Binder as Lewis Hollis. He is Laine Hanson's legal counsel.

Robin Thomas as William Hanson. He is the husband of Laine Billings Hanson and Campaign Manager. He was previously married and had an affair with then Laine Billings while campaigning for Senator.

Kathryn Morris as Special Agent Paige Willomina. A clever FBI agent who collects information leading to the revelation of Governor Hathaway's liability in the car tragedy victim's death, to the complete surprise of many.

Reactions

The Contender received mostly solid reviews, garnering a 77% "fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes (External Link

). Film critic Roger Ebert called it "one of those rare movies where you leave the theater having been surprised and entertained, and then start arguing."
The film generated over $5 Million at the box office its opening weekend (External Link

) on its way to a total gross just under $18M. (External Link

) The Contender was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor.
The film has also been the subject of controversy, as some viewers see it as liberal propaganda. The accusation stems from the fact that the President and Senator Hanson, the primary protagonists, are both Democrats, and the primary antagonist is the Republican Runyon, played by Gary Oldman. Also at the forefront was Director Rod Lurie's alleged anti-religion leanings in the film's story. Senator Hanson was an atheist, a fact that was laid out in the beginning of the film yet never came back to haunt her candidacy as it would have in the real world. In an October 2000 issue of Premiere magazine Oldman criticized the final product. He alleged that editing cuts were made due to the studio's Democratic leanings. Oldman and the film's producer, Douglas Urbanski, accuse DreamWorks heads Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg - all Democrats - of "turning the political drama upside down to make it mesh with their pro-Al Gore agendas". "If your names are Spielberg, Katzenberg, and Geffen," Urbanski declared, "you can't have a film with a Republican character … who is at all sympathetic … being released on October 13 (less than a month before the Presidential election)." Oldman claimed when DreamWorks bought the film rights, the company forced director/writer Rod Lurie to turn The Contender into an unbalanced, "Democrat-friendly tale". DreamWorks spokesman Walter Parkes denied the charges. "There's no indication to me whatsoever that Rod [Lurie] ever felt pressured" and that "One only has to look at the coverage of the [Democratic] convention to see that the owners of this company have sympathies with the Democratic Party. Did those sympathies enter into the editorial process...or the decision to buy the movie? Unequivocally, no."

Quotes

Shelly Runyon: We're both sticking to our guns. The difference is, mine are loaded.

Timmy Hanson: Yeah, being the vice president is better than being the president.
President Evans: Oh, I'm sure you're right.
Timmy Hanson: 'Cause nobody wants to shoot the vice president.

Shelly Runyon: I do. And what I say, the people will believe. And you know why? Because I'll have a very big microphone in front of me.

Sen. Laine Billings Hanson: Principles only mean something if you stick by them when they're inconvenient.

Source

CyberAlert, Oldman reactions

Further Information

Get more info on 'The Contender Film'.

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