I was thinking about good political films to fill the void once the election is over. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wag the Dog, and The Manchurian Candidate (1962 version) are definitely on the must see list. Then, I scanned my DVD collection and noticed a small movie that has fallen off the radar but one that should not be forgotten – The Contender. It is possible The Contender was never on people’s radar. When it was released thirteen years ago in 2000, many were flocking to Meet the Parents so this little movie was up against some tough competition. Come Oscar time though it did get well-deserved recognition when Joan Allen was nominated for Best Actress and Jeff Bridges for Best Supporting Actor. After you watch it, you will certainly feel that Gary Oldman was slighted by the Academy; but I feel that way about most of Gary Oldman’s performances.
The movie is set after the Clinton administration. President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges), a Democrat, is in his second term as President of the United States. The Vice President has just died and Evans needs to select a successor. Many political insiders on both sides of the aisle would like to see Senator Jack Hathaway (William Petersen) appointed. However, Evans wants a legacy for his administration and would like to appoint the first female Vice President. He selects Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen). Section 2 of the 25th Amendment states that the President can appoint a successor but a majority in both House and Senate must confirm the Vice President. Congressman Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman) is a Republican and Chairman of the committee who is running the confirmation process. Runyon has his own agenda and would prefer Hathaway as VP so he engages in a smear campaign. During the investigation process, Runyon collects damning statements from individuals who went to college with Hanson. They claim that while Hanson was in college she participated in a drunken orgy at a frat party. There are also photos of that event. The media has a field day with this info. And the rest of the movie is how each side handles the scandalous situation. You will have to watch to see what happens.
There is so much more going on in this movie than my little summary. The film is a good cat-and-mouse game to see whose personal agenda will win. Evans wants his legacy. Bitter from losing the presidential race to Evans, Runyon doesn’t want him to get his way. Then there is Hanson. She’s not without her own scandals aside from this one. However, she has her own ideological beliefs that her personal life is private and it does not define her abilities as a politician. Therefore, she neither denies nor confirms that she engaged in the act. She believes that she shouldn’t answer a question that should never be asked. It’s enjoyable to watch these camps play the political game in order to win their way. And, trust me, you will be surprised by how it all unfolds.
The strength of this movie is with the performances. Jeff Bridges playing the President is fantastic. He took the character and made it his own. The comedic moments in the film are of Bridges intimating others because he knows, as President, he can. Joan Allen is perfection. Gary Oldman is a genius. The best scenes in the movie are when Allen and Oldman go head to head with each other. Not only are you in awe of their talent but you also appreciate the writing that allows them to be at their best.
You will certainly see the influence of the Monica Lewinsky/Bill Clinton scandal in the film. Thirteen years later, I think the story is still current. In the movie, there are photos of a college girl (that may or may not be Hanson) in a compromising position. Years ago, photos like these were hard to come by so they were considered a huge smoking gun. Now that we are living in a world where every American has a camera in the palm their hand how many more scandals will arise when politicians are called into question about their actions? We have already seen how the wrong photo can ruin a politician’s career. But is that just the beginning? As the Facebook generation grows up to become politicians, will photos or videos from their past (when politics was not even a consideration) come out of the woodwork forcing them to explain their actions? Or will society be more forgiven? Only time will tell. But if you are young and thinking about running for politics – keep it clean out there.
Categories: Dramas
ReelMemorable 