Review: The Contender (2000)

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The Contender

Rating

Director

Rod Lurie

Screenplay

Rod Lurie

Length

2h 06m

Starring

Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, Sam Elliott, William Petersen, Saul Rubinek, Philip Baker Hall, Mike Binder, Robin Thomas, Mariel Hemingway, Kathryn Morris, Kristen Shaw, Douglas Urbanski

MPAA Rating

Review

With the partisan political climate permeating the media, production companies are finding a plethora of plots suitable for filming. “The Contender” is the epitome of the desire to rationalize the bitter battles raging in Washington.

Joan Allen is Laine Hanson, a senator with a reputation of overt liberalism. A former Republican, Laine switched sides when her political beliefs thwarted the platform she ran under. President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges), after the death of his vice-president, must appoint a replacement to fill out his last term.

When Senator Hanson becomes the selection, the witch hunt begins as Republican Senator Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman), who abhors her liberal tendencies, searches for scandalous material that would cast doubt on her ability to serve in the White House. Everything comes to a boil during her confirmation hearing where the no-holds-barred battle rages indefinitely.

There is a disturbing parallel here between “The Contender” and the fight to find scandal against President Bill Clinton. It’s not hard to see where this film stands on the issue of digging up scandalous material for political gains. It indicates that it is not only inappropriate, but that it too easily damages the reputation of anyone caught in the crossfire, whether they are politically active or an innocent bystander.

Journalist-turned-writer/director Rod Lurie, whose first film “Deterrence” made a similar political statement, understands the harsh reality of political maneuvering. There is a desperate urge apparent in the film to caution the viewer not to be mislead by the various scandalous media leaks that have often the campaigns of unsuspecting candidates.

Allen gives a terrific performance as the embittered candidate. Her performance never belies the truth of the situation and only upon resolution do we find out the source and accuracy of the allegations. Oldman on the other hand, does a little too much scenery chewing as the obsessed McCarthy-esque senator. Known for his atypical villainy, Oldman manages to cast himself into a political mold potentially at the hands of the director.

“The Contender” is a film that is so heavy-handed in its political activism that it manages to underscore the necessity for equity in politics. There seems to be no break in the partisan nature of most of the characters, it is as if there is little interest in painting the parties as anything but antithetic bodies whose only desire is to push their platforms without regard for the people.

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. However, there is plenty of room for idealism and for that, Laine Hanson is proof that there can be a candidate who is willing to stand up for personal beliefs in the face of overwhelming adversity.

There are plenty of surprises along the way and they have their moments of predictability, though it is obvious that there is a larger statement to be made. It is our constitutional right, as Americans, to adhere to any doctrine we wish, no matter what the opposition might be. However, if we don’t follow those beliefs and stand by them through the most adverse circumstances, we have not lived up to our potential.