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Amazon.co.uk Review
After years of yawn-inducing testosterone displays in the political arena, The Contender is a uniquely intelligent feminist statement. Written and directed by Rod Lurie, the plot is concerned with appointing a female Vice President (Joan Allen as Senator Laine Hanson) to the White House. Barring her way are the collective prejudices and petty-minded historical grudges that mire all politics. For her, they're all focused in the repellent form of an unrecognisable Gary Oldman as Sheldon Runyan. Several other performances stand alongside these two excellent leads: a commanding President from Jeff Bridges, a fresh-faced do-gooder from Christian Slater and an incendiary moustache-free presidential aide from Sam Elliott. Beneath the extremely engaging surprise-filled plot, there are also several layers of commendable moral thematics. Effectively put on trial for being who she is and what she may or may not have done in her past, Allen's character stands for much more than a position in the Office. Viewers are presented with the thought-provoking statement: "principles only matter if you stick by them when they're inconvenient."
On the DVD: a trailer, four TV spots, an interview with Joan Allen and 10 deleted scenes (totalling 16 minutes) with optional commentary from director Lurie, all worthy of your attention. But the enthusiastic commentary from Lurie and Allen is the real treat. Crammed with information about the advice on re-editing given by Steven Spielberg, Lurie reveals the fall-out it caused with Gary Oldman. Gossip aside, it's also fascinating to hear him explaining his feminist standpoint after having become father to a daughter.--Paul Tonks
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After just catching this film again on TV, I felt (again) like I'd just watched a film that was oh so close to registering as a bona fide classic but was let down by some over the top chest beating in the final reels.
The story has been laid out on this page, so I won't go over it again. For three quarters of the film you are watching a tightly plotted film with truly stand out dialogue and acting of the highest class. Bridges is perfect as the Clinton-esque president, Oldman has a whale of the time as the puritanical and self motivated (and fantastically named) Sheldon Runyon while Allen again shows herself to be one of the top actresses working today as the stoic and morally bound Laine Hanson.
With all of these actors on top form, and other performances from Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, William Petersen amongst others lighting up linking scenes, the film moves smoothly along. It is a great shame then that all the good build up work is let down by (without giving too much away) a ridiculously unlikely twist spun by a central character, and a flag waving finale which contrasts completely with the calm and excellently made arguments brought before it, not to mention the sensational confrontations that litter the film.
Certainly worth watching, this is a film that we can assume was influenced by Hollywood's need for a barnstorming finish, which is ironic considering the subject matter.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a gripping story examining the American political process in the age of spin. Joan Allen is excellently difficult to read as Jeff Bridge's preferred vice-presidential candidate whose past and private life come under hostile scrutiny. Her refusal on principle to confirm or deny allegations about her past play into the hands of her superbly manipulative opponent, played by a dogged Gary Oldman. The acting is compelling, the deal-making all too believable and the questions raised about what makes a person fit to govern, and whether appearance now matters more than substance are not easily answered. I only wish that all US presidents could be as wise(and attractive!)as Jeff Bridges!
Format:DVD
Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) is selected as the nominee for Vice President after the incumbent's death.
But she is opposed by Congressman Runyon (Gary Oldman) who uses rumours of sexual hijinks in her past to smear her.
This film takes the moral high ground that a man would just laugh this off as one of the boys & portrays the resultant political skullduggery on both sides.
Ok so the end is a bit tub thumping & Jeff Bridges as the president doesn't do much apart from order food & the final scene.
But as the US President is kind of a god/king selected from amongest the people, then if you gave him anything more he'd end up dominating the entire film.
Which would mean that you wouldn't be able to appreciate the sterling work done by Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, William Petersen & Sam Elliott.
This isn't up to the standard of the West Wing but as a film it doesn't have the time to explore all the aspects to the same degree.
Give The Contender a chance & you'll enjoy it but don't expect The Prince.
But she is opposed by Congressman Runyon (Gary Oldman) who uses rumours of sexual hijinks in her past to smear her.
This film takes the moral high ground that a man would just laugh this off as one of the boys & portrays the resultant political skullduggery on both sides.
Ok so the end is a bit tub thumping & Jeff Bridges as the president doesn't do much apart from order food & the final scene.
But as the US President is kind of a god/king selected from amongest the people, then if you gave him anything more he'd end up dominating the entire film.
Which would mean that you wouldn't be able to appreciate the sterling work done by Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, William Petersen & Sam Elliott.
This isn't up to the standard of the West Wing but as a film it doesn't have the time to explore all the aspects to the same degree.
Give The Contender a chance & you'll enjoy it but don't expect The Prince.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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THE CONTENDER is not a great film , in fact for most of the time the plot just seems to plod along at a snails pace , and the story can be a little confusing at times. Read more
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