THE CONTENDER
Year: 2000
USA: DreamWorks SKG
UK: Icon
Cast: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, Sam Elliott, William L Petersen, Saul Rubinek, Philip Baker Hall, Mike Binder, Robin Thomas, Mariel Hemingway, Kathryn Morris, Kristen Shaw, Douglas Urbanski, Angelica Torn, Joe Taylor, Kevin Geer, Doug Roberts, Bev Appleton, Sandra Register, Tony Booth, Andrew C Boothby, Irene Ziegler, Del Driver, Sean Pratt, Bill Bevins, Ed Sala, Kirk Penberthy, Justin Dray, David Laubacher, David Bridgewater, Kevin Grantz, Michael Kennedy, David Londoner, Billy Dye, Larry King, Amit Mehta, Greg Cooper, J Scott Shonka, Scoot Powell, Catherine Shaffner, Stan Kelly, William L Chandler, Liz Marks, Robert Harvey, Steve Hurwitz, Ric Young, Sherri Richmond, Teresa Wells Jones, Lynn West, Dave Guertler, Michael Goodwin, Heather Rosbeck, Donald Campen, Justin Lewis, Fred Iacovo, Dawn Westbrook, Jolene Carroll, David Cureton
Director: Rod Lurie
Countries: France / USA
USA: 125 mins
UK: 126 mins
USA Rated: R for strong sexual content and language
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and sexual references
USA Release Date: 13 October 2000
UK Release Date: 20 April 2001
Synopsis
In the tradition of such films as ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, THE CANDIDATE and THE PARALLAX VIEW, THE CONTENDER is a political thriller that takes us behind the scenes of political power plays.
When the sitting Vice President dies, Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) is chosen by the President (Jeff Bridges) 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 (Gary Oldman) 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. Laine Hanson has what it takes to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Now she must prove she has the stomach for what it takes to get the job.