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The Contender

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The Contender (2000)

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Reviews Counted:127

Fresh:97

Rotten:30

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.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] strong sexual content and language

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Christian Slater

Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Christian Slater, William L. Petersen, Philip Baker Hall, Saul Rubinek, Sam Elliott

Director: Rod Lurie

Director: Rod Lurie
Screenwriter: Rod Lurie
Producer: Mark Frydman, Douglas Urbanski, Willi Baer, James Spies
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC

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Release:

Feb 27, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Contender

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Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
09/08/09
Ted Murphy
Ted Murphy
Hollywood.com

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 Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
10/18/07
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

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

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
10/14/07
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

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

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/30/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Click to read the article

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

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

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
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

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

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Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
05/22/03
Eugene Novikov
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

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Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

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 Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment Comment
04/29/03
Harry Guerin
Harry Guerin
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

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

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
04/26/03
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

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 Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

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 Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
01/29/03
Wesley Lovell
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy

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

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Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
12/16/02
Matthew Bond
Matthew Bond
Daily Mail [UK]
 
 
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Latest News for The Contender

July 19, 2007: Kate Beckinsale to Topline Lurie's Valerie Plame Pic
Film critic turned film maker Rod Lurie will write and direct "Nothing But the Truth" for the Yari Film Group. Semi-based on actual events, it'll be about a newspaper report who... More...

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