The Contender is a smart, intense political drama that holds no punches in dealing with its subject matter. The film stars Joan Allen as the popular Senator Laine Hanson, who is nominated to become Vice President after the death of the former V.P.
President Evans (Jeff Bridges) selects Senator Hanson for two reasons. First, because she is a woman; Evans thought that the President who first ensured that a woman would hold the second highest office in the nation would guaranteeEvans’ legacy as President. Second, Senator Hanson is an experienced politician, who, presumably, has nothing to hide, so she can be considered a good, safe choice for the position.
However, as soon as word gets out that Senator Hanson has been nominated to become Vice President, the President’s political opponents spring to action. They immediately look for someway to ruin the Senator and her political aspirations, as well as the President’s hope for a quiet and triumphant end to his presidency. Gary Oldman plays Representative Shelly Runyon brilliantly, showing him as a shrewd politician and a man whose mission in life is to wreak havoc on his Democratic rivals.
Iit is difficult to tell whether he truly believes Hanson is the wrong choice for Vice President, or if he merely wants to ruin her politically and hurt his political enemies. Oldman is truly the actor of a thousand faces. In this film he is an old, balding representative with huge glasses who makes the audience do a double take before realizing that it is indeed Gary Oldman.
Christian Slater, who seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth in recent years, puts himself back on the map with a fine turn as freshman Congressman Reginald Webster, who serves on Runyon’s confirmation committee. Webster is, at first a naive newcomer, who only wants to get his name known to his superiors, but as the movie goes on, he starts developing his own ideas and becoming more independent.
Conflict first arises when Runyon and his cronies get word of Senator Hanson’s alleged deviant activities in college while pledging a sorority. Many witnesses come forward telling of Hanson’s sexual escapades. Runyon and company believe actions like this are not fitting for a future Vice President. Hanson, despite immense pressure to step down, will not yield to Runyon’s accusations. She stands tall against her attackers, and will not dignify their lewd claims with a response. Runyon thinks that, regardless of Hanson’s silence, the American people will listen to him because “I will have a very big microphone in front of me.”
The issue that is presented by the film is not whether or not Hanson did the things she is being accused of, but that these actions were personal, and should not affect her political career. Another point of contention comes in the form of Governor Jack Hathaway, another potential nominee for Vice President, who was shocked to learn that Hanson, not he, was President Evans’ first choice. Hathaway was the front-runner for the nomination, especially after a heroic attempt to save a woman whose car went off a bridge in the film’s opening scene. When troubles arise for Senator Hanson, Hathaway is ready to step in as the newest nominee, and the President thinks that he may have to go with Hathaway just to save face.
Jeff Bridges convincingly plays President Evans, who has a down-homedemeanor on the outside, but is really an astute political master, who wields his influence wisely and calls in favors when necessary. Other fine performances are turned in by Sam Elliott as Evans’ chief of staff, and Phillip Baker Hall, who plays Senator Hanson’s father, a sage-like Republican Governor.
The movie is decidedly Democratic and has an overall ultra-liberal tone. This is interesting, considering many recent Hollywood movies avoid naming real political parties, or try to take a more moderate stance. Writer/ director Rod Lurie took a chance by slanting the movie so far to the left, especially since doing this could alienate some of his potential audience. However, the outstanding performances make the partisanship of the script believable. The only problem with the movie’s politics is that Congressman Runyon, a Republican, sometimes comes off as more sinister and conniving than believable.
The Contender is a great example of a solid political drama which really gives the audience a feel for the lives of Washington insiders. A great cast and an energetic script make this movie one to see, despite its obviously partisan political tendencies. B+