The Contender is stealth propaganda, and laughably bad propaganda at that. Through the first half of the movie the viewer believes they're watching a political thriller. Joan Allen stars as Senator Laine Hanson, nominated to replace the recently deceased Vice President by President Jackson Evans played by Jeff Bridges. Republican Rep. Shelly Runyon, played by Gary Oldman, is a rival to President Evans and wants another politician nominated, a Southern Democratic. Rep. Runyon is going to fight Senator Hanson's nomination by any means at his disposal. This includes pictures of a 19-year old Hanson participating in a sex orgy at a college frat. The battle lines are drawn, and the gloves are off as both camps prepare for battle. It's good against evil.
That's okay. Moviemakers can make political pictures, take sides, and argue positions. I don't mind as long as they do it in the context of an honest and entertaining movie. The problem is that The Contender is neither honest nor entertaining; it's insulting.
During the first third of the movie it appears that it's point will be a condemnation of the personal attacks that mar and degrade our political system. But during the middle third the story line takes a sharp turn. Its focus narrows from the original good vs evil themes, and becomes distinctly partisan. By the final third, the message is reduced to a diatribe against all things conservative and Republican. During the movie's final scenes there are two breathless liberal soliloquies where heroic music builds to crescendo as the speakers stake noble positions. It's almost religious. Released just three weeks before the 2000 American elections I can see why Mr. Oldman wanted to disassociate himself from the movie. Personally I feel as I should have been paid to watch it, not vice versa.
That's okay. Moviemakers can make political pictures, take sides, and argue positions. I don't mind as long as they do it in the context of an honest and entertaining movie. The problem is that The Contender is neither honest nor entertaining; it's insulting.
During the first third of the movie it appears that it's point will be a condemnation of the personal attacks that mar and degrade our political system. But during the middle third the story line takes a sharp turn. Its focus narrows from the original good vs evil themes, and becomes distinctly partisan. By the final third, the message is reduced to a diatribe against all things conservative and Republican. During the movie's final scenes there are two breathless liberal soliloquies where heroic music builds to crescendo as the speakers stake noble positions. It's almost religious. Released just three weeks before the 2000 American elections I can see why Mr. Oldman wanted to disassociate himself from the movie. Personally I feel as I should have been paid to watch it, not vice versa.