The Contender
reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell & Brian "The Naked Gun" Felts
The picture follows the plight of U.S. senator Laine Hanson, played by Academy Award® nominee Joan Allen (Nixon),
who is hand picked by democrat President Jackson Evans, played by fellow nominee Jeff Bridges (The Fisher King), to succeed
as vice president. Hanson's selection followed three weeks after the untimely
death of her predecessor and a country without a VP. Thank goodness, the VP's death was a red herring.
Republican senator Sheldon Runyon heads the confirmation committee with a severe disdain
for Hanson, one reason of many being her turn from the republican party to democrat. Runyon's office
investigates what it can of Hanson's past to ruin her reputation. Eventually, they find evidence she
put on a sex show with multiple partners while attending college. In response, Hanson refuses to make
a response, feeling the filth is beneath her. Eventually things get ugly.
There is also a subplot with Governor Jack Hathaway, Runyon's friend
and favorite choice, who reaches new fame after attempting to save a woman who's car runs off a bridge into
a river. Trust me, the plot on this is good.
"The Contender" is one of those pictures I label as a thriller without actually being a thriller. Every
turn and conflict in the story, I was captivated at what the result would be and what the next turn would
bring.
What I like most about the material in the picture is, unlike most other political pictures produced
by Hollywood, the sides of the story are much more balanced. For example, in "The American President,"
the democrat U.S. President seeks re-election during his courtship with a new girlfriend. He takes shot
after shot from his republican opposition. Republicans are shown in dark rooms, plotting how to ruin his
character. Bad guys doing bad things, while the democrats in the movie are clean whistles with good hearts.
Ok, sure.
However, in THIS political story, yes, the democrats are the protagonists and the republicans are
the nemesis, but Runyon is established as an idealist with a grudge, rather than an agenda of evil.
His intentions of hurting Hanson are wrong, but common in politics.
In addition, the democrat characters even admit his life has been very honorable and little room to ridicule.
He is faithful to his wife, has a few shady stock investments, but nothing the dems see as major. His
only other fault is being a hypocrite on the issue of abortion. Runyon is not even portrayed as corrupt,
just holding ideals which go against those the country was founded on. He still feels what he's
doing is the "right" thing to do. I love a nemesis like that.
So, we have a republican bad guy, who isn't really a bad guy. Just mislead in his thinking.
How else does the picture have balance? The democrats immediately go after Runyon to discredit him.
The president's administration begins looking for dirty ways to tip the scales in their favor, while
Hanson begs to win the confirmation on her own merit. Thus, the democrats are shown in a dark political
light as well as any republican in the picture. That's giving balance. What's more, Hanson's character
is proven to have committed adultery, followed by a scene where the president and his advisor argue, trying
to rationalize the definition of adultery. The realism of the picture is awesome, and makes it very believable.
Allen and Bridges are flawless in this picture, but the supporting cast is littered with powerhouse
performances including Sam Elliott (Tombstone), William Peterson (TV's C.S.I.), Christian Slater (Windtalkers)
and with probably the most fun role of the picture Gary Oldman (Murder in the First) as Senator Runyon.
Rod Lurie wrote and directed this masterpiece, who also has "The Last Castle" on his directorial resume.
Overall, "The Contender" is highly credible, and I feel, whether you're democrat or republican, you
should be pulled into this picture's story and walk away digging it. Best thing about this DVD
disc is, you can find it in most low dollar budget bins at department stores, a great title for a low
price. I doubt you'll feel bad about adding it to your collection.
Benn - Where's the Humanity?
I disagree with Benn on many counts with regards to this movie. Although, I find the acting to be
good on all levels, especially Gary Oldman, I am sick and tired of Hollywood creating fictitious movies
such as "Primary Colors," "American President," "Farenheit 9/11" and THIS, depicting the Democrats
the heroes and Republicans villains.
I mean, it's expected when Barbara Streisand or Michael Moore--no talent hacks--are in a movie or direct movies
which rip Republicans. However, it is making Hollywood lose all credibility.
Now, you are asking what makes this movie anti Republicans. Well, here are a few examples:
The VP nominee is being haunted by a sexual scandal which was discovered by a republican trying
to dig up dirt on an otherwise distinguished politician. This movie was made when Bill Clinton was
President. Hmmmmm.
The Governor who wants to be the VP, friends with the bad guy, is accused of murder at the end
of the movie. This is because the woman he tried to save, who drowned in an accident, was actually
paid to do so by the Governor while he was being interviewed by a reporter at the scene. He was
unable to save the drowning women, but the effort was reported, making him a hero.
However,
the President has a detective interview other people leading up to this discovery. Now besides the
obvious republican governor being a bad guy, the President sends an FBI investigator on a holy quest for the
truth, while the republicans send a slime ball reporter to dig up dirt.
Overall, the acting is good. The story is entertaining. I am just sick and f**king tired of stereotypical
Hollywood bashing my political choices when they really have no clue what they are talking about.
So F**k 'em. Don't watch the movie.
Brian - The Naked Gun
"The Contender" was sadly marketed when it was first released, so I have no idea how much it was seen.
However, those who missed it may have missed a very savvy political thriller.