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starring: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, Sam Elliottdirected by: Rod Lurie
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780783256320
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0783256329
Label: Dreamworks Video
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Dreamworks Video
Release Date: August 28, 2001
Running Time: 127 minutes
Sales Rank: 29713
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Theatrical Release Date: October 13, 2000
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
Depending on your perspective, The Contender can be praised and damned for the same reasons. A political thriller with an insider's view, it's deadly earnest in its defense of truth, justice, and the American way, but writer-director (and former film critic) Rod Lurie resorts to the same manipulation that his film purports to condemn. But with political savvy, a timely idea (a female vice president), and a cast of first-rate actors, this high-office chess game is unabashedly entertaining. You can argue with Lurie's tactics, but you can't fault his patriotic passion.
In a role written especially for her, Joan Allen is outstanding (if a bit too saintly) as the Republican-turned-Democrat senator who is chosen by the president (Jeff Bridges) to fill a vice presidential vacancy. Bridges is a cagey chief executive, seemingly aloof as he gleefully challenges the White House's 24-hour kitchen staff but more than a match for the embittered and unscrupulous congressman (Gary Oldman) who plots to destroy Allen's character with seemingly dark secrets from her past.
As a gender-switching response to the Lewinsky scandal, The Contender asks potent questions with its impassioned plea for integrity in public service. That makes this a film well worth defending, and the stellar cast (which includes Christian Slater and William Petersen) triumphs over most of the plot's hokey machinations. The ideas are more compelling than their execution, however, and although Lurie's climactic revelation is a vast improvement over the reckless cheat of his previous film Deterrence, it still threatens to tarnish the gloss of an otherwise fascinating film. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The Contender
This is the most amazing movie. Barack Obama was recently asked which movie he felt had the best presidential performance. He responded, "Jeff Bridges in The Contender". A must see movie. Love the price and I received it timely.
Rating:  - Man, those Democrats are a noble lot
As a political independent I really don't have much of a problem believing that the Republicans in Congress are the uncaring, sneaky bunch of politicians they are portrayed as in this film. What I don't buy at all, though, is the Democrats in Congress being the truthful, caring, altruistic bunch they're portrayed as here. For me, this film simply confirms the fact that the Hollywood elites are no more than a wing of the Democrat Party when it comes to political movies. The premise of this movie ... Read More
Rating: - A remarkably unpleasant and dishonest film
If you like American Theocracy, you will probably like this film. It plays to every stereotype, every simple-minded idea, every revisionist fantasy, every insulting smear and dishonest thing that the left has uttered for the past 50 years. Now, don't get me wrong, it skillfully packages them in a lovely box with lots of pretty wrapping paper (recyclable, of course!), ornate bows, and a lovely card, but inside, it is unequivocally a steaming pile of horse puckey.
Others here have dissected ... Read More
Rating:  - Campaign 2008
I guess this came out in 01, but watching it in 2008 is interesting, now that Hillary Clinton's campaign is over. This film is over the top in portraying partisanship, and way too preachy about the main character's rights as a woman to be treated like a man. Jeff Bridges is entertaining as the president. Hell, he should probably run. Given recent history like the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings, and such fiascos as the Bush nomination of Harriet Myers to the Supreme Court, the goings on in this movie ... Read More
Rating:  - Rich Cast and Story
This was a really good movie. The casting was just perfect (even Christian Slater who was the weakest of the selections). I found the story very interesting and the performances were fantastic. I recommend it to any intelligent film fan.
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