The Contender (2000)
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.
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... [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
Screenwriter: Rod Lurie
Producer: Mark Frydman, Douglas Urbanski, Willi Baer, James Spies
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Reviews
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.
Comment
10/18/07
Pretty much shameless leftist propaganda being sold as conventional Hollywood entertainment, but it manages to satisfy on the traditional genre terms.
10/14/07
The Contender thumps its Democratic Bible hard enough to put Jonathan Edwards to shame.
07/30/07
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06/24/06
Top Critic
Despite a few phony moments, the dialogue is sharp and the directing is immediate.
05/26/06
Top Critic 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.
12/06/04
Um drama político inteligente e ambicioso cuja única (e quase perdoável) falha é ceder a dois ou três clichês em seus minutos finais.
10/18/04
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12/15/03
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05/22/03
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.
04/29/03
About fairness,privacy,shrewdness in politics,witch hunts,dignity,pride, and service to one's country and sticking to your guns.
04/26/03
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.
02/08/03
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.
01/29/03
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12/16/02
Top CriticRelated Forums
recently picked this DVD up, gladly
by: rakastaa 3/14/04
by: rakastaa 3/14/04
Pictures
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....
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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