 | The Contender Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Sam Elliott, Christian Slater |
Film critic turned director, Rod Lurie, has created a taut political thriller that puts the viewer in the centre of the action. Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, and Sam Elliott fill this intense drama with great performances. Any or all could receive nominations. One of Lurie's talents seems to be inspired casting that tends to go against type. Jeff Bridges (The Dude) pulls off a terrific performance as President Jackson Evans who is down to earth, funny, and yet very presidential. Sam Elliott (The Ol' Cowboy), clean shaven, short haircut, and three piece suit plays a gutsy, tough presidential adviser. Gary Oldman is unrecognisable as Congressman Shelly Runyon, a political foe of the President. Joan Allen is stunning as Senator Laine Hanson, a vice presidential nominee who is at the centre of this film. Good supporting performances by Christian Slater and William Petersen add levels of dimension to the film. The Vice President is dead. President Jackson Evans has named Senator Laine Hanson as his vice presidential nominee over the more popular Gov. Jack Hathaway (Petersen). Evans wants his legacy to include appointing the first woman as vice president. Congressman Runyon, as chairman of the house committee to approve the appointment, is determined to eliminate Hansen as a nominee. He has information that Hansen participated, in her younger years, in a college "gang bang" and has pictures to prove it. Hansen refuses to comment on these allegations thus beginning the classic battle of Right to Know vs. Right to Privacy. The audience has a front row seat to all of the political gamesmanship, backstabbing, and most of the elements, which make up the political process. The gritty, documentary-style cinematography by Denis Maloney and well timed, sharp editing give the film an authentic look. When Lurie took his final cut to Dreamworks, Steven Spielberg fell in love with the film. It is common knowledge that Spielberg gave editing advice and tweaked the film to make it more effective. I would guess that Spielberg did more that tweak for The Contender has the look of a master director. Lurie's amateurish first film, "Deterrence", had none of the professional style that is inherent in The Contender. I would give Lurie credit for a good script and getting great performances from his actors. There are a few flaws. The bad guys are just a little too bad. Senator Laine Hansen is a bit too good to be true. Only Allen's performance allows the good Senator to join the human race. The score by Larry Groupé is at times quite effective yet at other times a bit too patriotic. The ending is a bit "syrupy" but these are minor flaws that do not detract from the enjoyment of the film. As quality cinema, "The Contender" just might be a contender for the Oscars. |