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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE CONTENDER
The Contender

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The Contender (2000)

77%
76%
87%
N/A
N/A
N/A
77 %
Reviews Counted: 125 Fresh: 96  Rotten:29 Average Rating: 6.7/10
 
Consensus: Critics say this political thriller is solidly made, with top-notch performances, screenplay, and direction for about two third of the film. Unfortunately, the ending almost tank the whole movie.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Theatrical Release: Oct 13, 2000 Wide

Box Office: $5,363,900

Synopsis: In THE CONTENDER, the sudden death of the vice president of the United States forces U.S. president Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) to pick a replacement. He decides against picking the popular governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), and instead makes the radical choice of... In THE CONTENDER, the sudden death of the vice president of the United States forces U.S. president Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) to pick a replacement. He decides against picking the popular governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), and instead makes the radical choice of Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) to become the nation's first female veep. Governor Hathaway's political friends include Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman), a powerful congressman who will oversee Hanson's confirmation. Runyon digs into Hanson's personal life and finds evidence that in college, Hanson participated in an alcohol-fueled orgy as part of a sorority initiation. When faced with this scandal, Hanson refuses to respond to the attacks, causing a political crisis leading to further shocking revelations. Former film critic Rod Lurie's second film (after the thriller DETERRENCE) is a tense potboiler with issues ripped from modern headlines, including the nature of political ideals and the national curiosity with leaders' sex lives. Joan Allen gives another in a long line of stunning performances as the tough, idealistic Laine Hanson, who stands up for what she believes in no matter what the cost. THE CONTENDER also features strong supporting performances from Bridges and Oldman, as well as a realistic look at the high-pressure game of insider politics. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Christian Slater, William L. Petersen

Director: Rod Lurie
Screenwriter: Rod Lurie
Producer: Mark Frydman, Douglas Urbanski, Willi Baer, James Spies

DVD Info

Release:

Mar 23, 2004

[DVD Details]

D-VHS Features:

Notes:

  • 1. Please note that this program requires D-VHS VCR hardware.
  • Anamorphic Letterboxed Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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Ratings Image
A-

Sex, lies and politics--they all boil together beautifully in "The Contender," a strong political drama that understands Washington, knows its dirty secrets, and uses its excellent cast to fine effect.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/18/07
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Ratings Image
3/4

Pretty much shameless leftist propaganda being sold as conventional Hollywood entertainment, but it manages to satisfy on the traditional genre terms.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/14/07
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
2/5

The Contender thumps its Democratic Bible hard enough to put Jonathan Edwards to shame.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/30/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Despite a few phony moments, the dialogue is sharp and the directing is immediate.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image
3/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3.5/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
C+

When Republicans speak, it's a bitter voice we hear; when Democrats speak, the music swells proudly. There's not must to think about here. It's a personality contest.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
4/5

Um drama político inteligente e ambicioso cuja única (e quase perdoável) falha é ceder a dois ou três clichês em seus minutos finais.

comment Comment
10/18/04
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/15/03
Alexander Walker
This is London
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/22/03
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather
Ratings Image
3/4

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
Ratings Image
3/5

Leave ten minutes early and you'll see the best White House film in years, stick around and get the big screen version of The West Wing. No contest really.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/29/03
Harry Guerin
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Ratings Image
4.5/5

About fairness,privacy,shrewdness in politics,witch hunts,dignity,pride, and service to one's country and sticking to your guns.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/26/03
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina
Ratings Image
5/5

The Contender has renewed my faith that good movies can indeed be produced if enough care is given to the production. It's too bad so many of 2000's films have failed to do that.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online
Ratings Image
3.5/4

It can be said that politics is a filthy business and if you don't want to get your hands dirty, you shouldn't participate.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/29/03
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
Ratings Image
C

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Full Review | comment Comment
01/10/03
Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/16/02
Matthew Bond
Daily Mail [UK]
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3/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
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Related Forums

rakastaa
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04


rakastaa
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04


rakastaa
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04


rakastaa
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04


rakastaa
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04
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Pictures

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News

Kate Beckinsale to Topline Lurie's Valerie Plame Pic
posted by Scott Weinberg July 19, 2007
Film critic turned film maker Rod Lurie will write and direct "Nothing But the Truth" for the Yari Film Group....

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