Would that politics were that way.
Added 1/30/2010
I'm amazed at people who found this film shallow and vulgar. That my in-laws might not like the language used, well, I'm sorry, but that's life.
And as to "shallow," I agree that's an adequate description for the short-lived television series by the same writer, Commander in Chief. But I liked this script, found it a classic.
The film starts with a governor, apparent vice president candidate, a position the country had apparently been without for a few weeks. A car flies off a bridge and the governor who was fishing under the bridge tries to help the car's driver. Unfortunately, the driver dies. Then, onto the president's (Jeff Bridges) office. He can't offer the governor the vice presidency.
The president eventually chooses a woman senator, portrayed by Joan Allen.
The presiden't rival in the prior election was Sheldon Runyon, masterfully portrayed by Gary Oldman, who was also the exec. producer of the film. Runyon is rurthless in his pursuit of dirt on Senator Hanson (Allen).
I won't re-cover what other reviewers have doubtless said many times. But what I found moving about the script was that Hanson, while she knew it would be to her advantage, refused to indulge in the same tactics used by Runyon and his lieutenants.
There are, of course, feminists who will say that "That's the way it would be if there were a woman candidate." Notwithstanding Senator Clinton's record as being pretty strong-willed herself, my objection to such an assertion is that beyond doubt the worst boss I ever had was a woman. So I know what women are capable of. The point is that CANDIDATE wouldn't settle for those completely unethical tactics.
Would that happen in real life? I doubt it. The present day public relations/image production apparatus probably wouldn't even allow a "cripple" (FDR) to be elected president. And we all recall the Kerry campaign in '04. I guess Kerry's handlers felt that Kerry would be beyond responding to the Swift Boat thugs. So he came across looking like a con artist who used his clout to get military honors, or a candidate who didn't have the guts to confront those who smeared him. So, no, I don't think Senator Hanson would get confirmed by the Senate today. But one can dream.
Back to the actors, I thought Jeff Bridges as the president was a president I could believe in. There was a down-to-earth nature about him, despite his obvious intelligence, that I appreciated. And Christian Slater played Reggie Webster, a freshman Delaware congressman who was trying to get on Runyon's right side, then saw that Runyon's tactics were not his cup of tea.
Overall the story, while idealistic, was a good one. And I don't want to give too much away so that others will be interested in seeing the film.
Go for it. And dream that such a candidite is possible.
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Good premise ruined by cheap dialogue and action
Added 1/24/2010
Anytime I see a potentially good film ruined by cheap and vulgar dialogue and by gratuitous references to sexuality I shut it off. So it was with this one.
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Now it's my turn.
Added 1/17/2010
If you can understand the storyline-where Joan Allen is coming from with her principles, for one, this is a film whose time is long overdo.
When Gary Oldman plays a villian, he's usually a little over the top-like in Air Force One, but here he's subtly villianous, sometimes you have to wonder what he's gonna do with Joan's charecter next, or even if he's really expressing an opinion, and knows what he's talking about.
I like this film for several reasons-the acting, the story-the idea of political scandal being thrown in your face like this is very well done. The whole cast does a nice job, kudos to Jeff Bridges for playing a president who despite having a foul mouth, very much gets his lines out without missing a beat-honestly, I've never seen a presidential figure played like this before.
I also agree with Joan in the fact that she won't adress the accusations, one way or the other, very different than Bill Clinton-who did a much better job as president despite his infidelities, why couldn't they leave him alone with that?
I've always believed any celebrities personal life is just that, no one else's business, but between the tabloids and the paparazzi-which in my opinion abuse their freedom) someone's personal life is always made public and it shouldn't be like that, same goes for politics, in my opinion. This film is very adult in its content and properly rated R, so I wouldn't recommend it for kids.
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The Contender
Added 10/19/2009
This DVD was purchased as a gift. The recipient was very happy to get it and enjoyed the dvd. The recipient wanted the movie having seen it on tv, so it was
much appreciated.
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The contender
Added 10/8/2009
The movie showed up in great shape and the movie was well liked thank you Grant
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