The Contender

View Date: October 14th, 2000

Cast :

Writers: Rod Lurie 

Director: Rod Lurie 

Politics have always been a popular topic in movies, because it is so much a part of our lives, and has so many facets, stories and psychological aspects to be explored.  The inner workings and behind the scenes aspects of those whom we have chosen to lead us usually, as in this case, provide a curious and interesting dissection of who and what we are as a society.  Simply put, controversy, breeds interest, and there is a lot in politics that is controversial.  When someone willing puts themselves in the public light, they open themselves to public scrutiny and analysis, and the results are not always kind, as in the case of The Contender, an effective, intelligent expose of political scandals, vendettas and those under workings of government that we all suspect exist, but rarely get to see details and visuals on.

The story is based around events that could happen, but haven’t yet, at least in modern times.  The Vice President dies unexpectedly, and the President is forced to choose a successor.  There is one obvious choice, who takes himself out of the running, but secretly still wants the job.  Upon the announcement that the candidate is a woman who almost noone expected, a determined senator and close friend of the obvious choice, sets out to destroy the credibility of the choice, and manipulate events to suit his own greedy needs. The demographic of politicians is a curious one indeed.  These are ordinary people who have dedicated themselves to public analysis, sacrifice their lives for public service, and dedicate themselves to a cause.  The Contender captures every aspect of this from play exuberance of a President who loves testing his chef, to the true joy of being able to bowl at any hour, to the sheer pleasure of being in the limelight.  But this does not come without its moments of trepidation and pressure.  Every decision is watched under a magnifying glass, every word and action is dissected literally and figuratively, then turned around if it ever contradicts future activity.  God forbid you make, or ever made an error.  We are all greedy, petty, self serving and determined in our own way, politicians are just more noticeable.  Oldman’s drive and passion to discredit, mirrors Allen’s persistence in defending herself.  Their actions are reminiscent of someone who believes so strongly in something, that they are willing to do, or say whatever necessary to achieve desired goals.  For about 2/3 of the movie, this is an interesting look into who these people really are, but it stumbles slightly, when it starts to make a statement about patriotism, then falls again when a plot twist is exactly what we expect, still, these do not take away from the movies power.

The performances, dialogue and delivery are keys in a movie where action is lacking, and the focus is on who, rather than what we see.  Bridges is an everyman who is having a blast being President, ala Michael Douglas’s American President.  Bridges is usually at his best when he tones down, and just gives us someone who we can all associate with.  Allen is powerful as well, as a feisty, determined role model, showing that actions can sometimes speak louder than words.  When she talks, you want to listen, and she is indeed one the great actresses working, because she does make you forget that you are watching a performer.  Finally, Oldman, Hollywood’s version of a chameleon, gives another performance to add to his incredible resume.  Here, nearly unrecognizable as the feisty head of the confirmation committee, he looks like Woody Allen on a bad hair day.  Yet he brings that sarcasm and energy that he gives to everything he does.  He throws himself into roles, the same way his character tackles the challenge of discrediting the senator.  Even the supporting performers, Sheppard most notably, strengthen the story and drive the movies point home stronger.  The only weak link is the curious, and unnecessary casting of Christian Slater, who is at his best when he’s using his Nicholson-channeled voice and acerbic nature to deal with everyday situations.  Here, like John Cusack in Con-Air, he sleepwalks through a role that anyone could have done.

Ultimately, The Contender is an analogy of most political campaigns.  It starts strong, is full of intelligent rhetoric, backstabbing, back door meetings, but in the end, concludes about the way we expect it to, with a patriotic and predictable conclusion.  The movies focus is tackled by use of a smart, realistic script which touches on the effect of being placed under a microscope, from shock, to realization, to ultimately having to deal and face the demons that may or may not haunt your past.  In light of recent events, this is a movie that was necessary, but that could have been concluded in a little stronger manner, so as to reflect how things really happen, as opposed to how we want it to.  After all, would you rather have someone who claims perfection, or someone, who like most of us, has made mistakes, overcome them, and made themselves stronger because of it.  Senator Hansen stays strong, as the movie does, but in the end, falls prey to the patriotic sentimentality of it all.  This does not take away from the movie, but this could been a tad more biting and controversial.  Still, it is a worthy look into what happens when you look to deep, and expect too much out of someone.  Sometimes, it’s best just to accept what we know, and base decisions on current actions, rather than past indiscretions.  Everyone makes mistakes, as the movie does, but the key is in the final message and end result, which in this case, is a positive one. ($$$ out of $$$$)

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