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The Contender

  • 20002000
  • RR
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
24K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Contender (2000)
Theatrical Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Thriller

Senator Laine Hanson is a contender for U.S. Vice President, but information and disinformation about her past surfaces that threatens to derail her confirmation.Senator Laine Hanson is a contender for U.S. Vice President, but information and disinformation about her past surfaces that threatens to derail her confirmation.Senator Laine Hanson is a contender for U.S. Vice President, but information and disinformation about her past surfaces that threatens to derail her confirmation.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
24K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Rod Lurie
  • Writer
    • Rod Lurie
  • Stars
    • Joan Allen
    • Gary Oldman
    • Jeff Bridges
Top credits
  • Director
    • Rod Lurie
  • Writer
    • Rod Lurie
  • Stars
    • Joan Allen
    • Gary Oldman
    • Jeff Bridges
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 387User reviews
    • 134Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 1 win & 22 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Contender
    Trailer 2:24
    The Contender

    Photos137

    Gary Oldman in The Contender (2000)
    Gary Oldman in The Contender (2000)
    Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Sam Elliott, and Saul Rubinek in The Contender (2000)
    Joan Allen and Mike Binder in The Contender (2000)
    Congressman Shelly Runyon discusses tactics with Congressman Reginald Webster
    Gary Oldman stars as Congressman Shelly Runyon
    Senator Laine Hansen is assisted at her confirmation hearings by her communications director Lewis Hollis
    Joan Allen stars as Senator Laine Hansen
    Sam Elliott stars as White House Chief of Staff Kermit Newman
    Gary oldman stars as Congressman Runyon
    William L. Petersen stars as Gov. Jack Hathaway, Sen. Hansen's main rival for the VP job
    Christian Slater stars as Congressman Webster

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joan Allen
    Joan Allen
    • Laine Hansonas Laine Hanson
    Gary Oldman
    Gary Oldman
    • Shelly Runyonas Shelly Runyon
    Jeff Bridges
    Jeff Bridges
    • President Jackson Evansas President Jackson Evans
    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • Reginald Websteras Reginald Webster
    Sam Elliott
    Sam Elliott
    • Kermit Newmanas Kermit Newman
    William Petersen
    William Petersen
    • Jack Hathawayas Jack Hathaway
    Saul Rubinek
    Saul Rubinek
    • Jerry Tolliveras Jerry Tolliver
    Philip Baker Hall
    Philip Baker Hall
    • Oscar Billingsas Oscar Billings
    Mike Binder
    Mike Binder
    • Lewis Hollisas Lewis Hollis
    Robin Thomas
    Robin Thomas
    • William Hansonas William Hanson
    Mariel Hemingway
    Mariel Hemingway
    • Cynthia Charlton Leeas Cynthia Charlton Lee
    Kathryn Morris
    Kathryn Morris
    • Paige Willominaas Paige Willomina
    Kristen Shaw
    Kristen Shaw
    • Fiona Hathawayas Fiona Hathaway
    Douglas Urbanski
    Douglas Urbanski
    • Makerowitzas Makerowitz
    Noah Fryrear
    • Timmyas Timmy
    Angelica Page
    Angelica Page
    • Dierdraas Dierdra
    • (as Angelica Torn)
    Joseph Lyle Taylor
    Joseph Lyle Taylor
    • Paul Smithas Paul Smith
    • (as Joe Taylor)
    Kevin Geer
    Kevin Geer
    • Congressman Skakleas Congressman Skakle
    • Director
      • Rod Lurie
    • Writer
      • Rod Lurie
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A political thriller about Laine Hanson, a Senator who is nominated to become Vice President following the death of the previous office holder. During the confirmation process, Laine is the victim of a vicious attack on her personal life in which stories of sexual deviancy are spread. She is torn as to whether she should fight back, or stick to her high principles and refuse to comment on the allegations. —Ted Johnson
    • political thriller
    • trapped underwater in a car
    • reference to chappaquiddick
    • larry king character
    • president
    • 128 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong sexual content and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      President Barack Obama told Entertainment Weekly in 2008 that Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) was his favorite movie President.
    • Goofs
      Senator Hanson is seen jogging in what is undoubtedly meant to be Arlington National Cemetery. Jogging is not permitted in Arlington National Cemetery, and presumably a U.S. Senator would know better than to be seen disrespecting American veterans in such a way.
    • Quotes

      Laine Hanson: Principles only mean something when you stick to them when its inconvenient.

    • Crazy credits
      For our daughters
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Remember the Titans/The Exorcist: The Version You've Never Seen/Under Suspicion (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Ring Of Fire
      Written by June Carter Cash (as June Carter) and Merle Kilgore

      Performed by Jeff Bridges and Kim Carnes

      Courtesy Of Ramp Records, LLC.

    User reviews387

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Important, Dynamic Film
    Unless you sleep through your days or live with your head buried in the sand, you know that, without a doubt, politics is a dirty business. But do we need to be reminded of that fact? The answer to that is, inarguably, yes; just as we must be reminded of the Holocaust lest we forget and allow history to repeat itself, we have to at least keep somewhat abreast of anything which so significantly affects our lives. And unfortunately (some would say), politics is one of those things, and whether we approach it actively or view it all with passive ambiguity, the fact remains that what happens in government affects us all in one way or another on a daily basis. `The Contender,' written and directed by Rod Lurie, is a serious and sensitive examination of the political machinations employed to effect power and control within a democracy. In Lurie's scenario, the position of Vice President of The United States has been open for three weeks and must be filled. President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) makes his choice: Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen), who would be the first woman in history to hold the position. First, however, she must be confirmed. And at this point, the real story begins to unfold as the beast rears it's head: Enter partisanism, personal agendas, media manipulation and, somewhere near the bottom of the list, Truth. To illustrate this dirtiest of all businesses, Lurie references a specific episode from the not-too-distant past, and draws a number of parallels to more recent political events, all of which are used purposefully and effect the desired results. It becomes not so much a case of good against evil so much as simply a question of what is right and what is wrong, who draws the line and who decides when and where that line should be crossed. To his credit, Lurie objectively presents both sides of the story without delving so deep as to mire the proceedings down with any unnecessary baggage merely to introduce any subjective leanings or to manipulate the audience one way or another. It's like a political campaign; viewers are left to decide for themselves and cast their vote as they may. The theme of the story itself is not virgin territory, but the way it's handled and delivered, including some exceptionally strong performances (there should be some Oscar nominations here), makes it unique. Joan Allen adds another exemplary performance to her resume, further demonstrating her great prowess as an actress. She imbues Laine Hanson with a strength and character that makes her entirely believable and credible. And Gary Oldman (in what is an uncharacteristic role for him) is absolutely dynamic as the ultra-conservative Shelly Runyon, who proves to be a most formidable opponent to Hanson and Evans. Bridges also comports himself well, creating a strong, insightful character in President Evans, exhibiting the very private, human qualities behind the public figure. The excellent supporting cast includes Christian Slater (Reginald Webster), Sam Elliott (Kermit), William Petersen (Hathaway), Philip Baker Hall (Oscar), Mike Binder (Lewis), Robin Thomas (William Hanson) and Saul Rubinek (Jerry). Lurie allows only a single lapse into melodrama (patriotic music begins to swell about half-way through Hanson's final speech), but the closing speech by President Evans is impeccably delivered with force and strength, and his words are exhilarating; how satisfying it is to hear things said that must and should be said, if only in the movies. Using the political arena to address subjects that concern all of us– morality, ethics, principles, truth and honesty– `The Contender' is riveting drama that invokes the conscience of a nation by examining the moral fiber and motives of those who would aspire to greatness. It's gripping entertainment with a message about Truth, Decency and the necessity of bipartisanism in politics; it's a statement well made, and one that should be taken to heart by all. I rate this one 9/10.
    helpful•48
    22
    • jhclues
    • Oct 16, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 13, 2000 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Germany
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Претендент
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG
      • Cinecontender
      • Battleground Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,872,723
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,363,900
      • Oct 15, 2000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,428,990
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 6 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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