The Contender

R

Released Oct 13, 2000

2 hr. 6 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

77%

132 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When the sitting Vice President dies, Senator Laine Hanson is chosen by the President to be the first woman to hold the office. The selection meets with opposition from members of both parties, in particular a powerful political adversary who will seemingly stop at nothing to discredit her. Her confirmation hearings set off a firestorm of controversy as shocking secrets from Hanson's past are revealed, threatening her personal life as well as her political future.

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Critics Consensus

The Contender wears its political heart on its sleeve, but strong performances and a solid screenplay help the end result add up to a gripping drama from either side of the aisle.

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Yasar K

Brilliant performances by Joan Allen, Bridges, Oldman and Elliot. Mariel Hemmingway has a brilliant cameo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Overall, considering I'm not normally one for political dramas, this one had my engagement early on, and I found myself highly entertained by the story and concept. It's a powerful film that asks whether a leader can still be reliable and perform their duty accurately even if they carry a dark and mysterious past. Performances here are highly pleasing, with actors including Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman as the major standouts. Pacing is a delight, and elements that include a few surprising twists and turns only further heightened my enjoyment. This is certainly a film to add to your watchlist if you're unfamiliar with it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

v1e1r1g1e1

It's rubbish. Relies far too heavily on a ''gotcha'' 20 minutes before the end... a denouement which is left completely unbelievable but necessary-for-the-plot, so that the protagonist - an Ever-So-Truly-Morally-Righteous Democrat Wahmyn can be made victorious. Agonising unnecessary details stretch out the last 20 minutes into torture and the pompous lecturing in what is meant to be a climax is tedious and odious. The film is basically a vehicle for bashing Christianity with holier-than-thou secularist ''values''. Don't waste your time. It stinks.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/02/22

Full Review

kevin c

All star cast highlights this well written political drama from writer/director Rod Lurie. As the president played by Jeff Bridges is set to name the first female Vice President played by Joan Allen, however a campaign digging into her past led by Gary Oldman threatens to derail any progress. Excellently acted by the cast which also features Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, Mariel Hemingway and Saul Rubinek. Haven't watched this in at least a decade and it's still holds up and just as relevant in the cancel culture of today.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

a.l.jude p

Got everything to like this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Andy M

A stellar cast and an intelligent script keep the viewer invested. Gary Oldman as the muckraking Republican senator is particularly impressive. A shame that the dirt on Vice President nominee Joan Allen is such a sexist cliche, and the film falls off a cliff into a pillow of scmaltz at the end. Still worth watching though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/22

Full Review

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Rod Lurie

Director

Joan Allen

Laine Hanson

Gary Oldman

Shelly Runyon

Jeff Bridges

President Jackson Evans

Sam Elliott

Kermit Newman

Christian Slater

Reginald Webster

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David Germain

Associated Press

The movie has plenty going for it: a terrific cast led by Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman, a captivating story line, a sharp script. Most important, The Contender has timing.

Jan 18, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Thoughtful, enjoyable film for older teens.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The film’s political posturing is frequently simplistic, but the dialogue is exceptional, and the big-name cast delivers.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 2, 2024

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slightly overlong yet mostly compelling drama...

Rated: 3/4

May 11, 2021

Full Review

Ted Murphy

Hollywood.com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 8, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

When the sitting Vice President dies, Senator Laine Hanson is chosen by the President to be the first woman to hold the office. The selection meets with opposition from members of both parties, in particular a powerful political adversary who will seemingly stop at nothing to discredit her. Her confirmation hearings set off a firestorm of controversy as shocking secrets from Hanson's past are revealed, threatening her personal life as well as her political future.

Director: Rod Lurie
Executive Producer: Rainer Bienger, Maurice Leblond, Gary Oldman
Screenwriter: Rod Lurie
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: SE8 Group, Cinerenta, Cinecontender, Battleground Productions
Rating: R (Strong Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.8M
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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