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The Contender Reviews

2000

60
from 1442 members

In THE CONTENDER, the sudden death of the vice president of the United States forces U.S. president Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) to pick a replacement. He decides against picking the popular governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), and instead makes the radical choice of Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) to .. Read more

Starring	Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater
Director	Rod Lurie
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of The Contender
View all critics' reviews (6)
- "....[Ms. Allen's performance] is an exquisitely subtle study of a strong, high-principled woman pushed to the breaking point....Mr. Oldman cloaks [his] character in an aura of deep sadness..."
- 9384
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of The Contender
View all members' reviews (8)
- - 2
  - 0
  The Contender
  
  Great acting from the main players. Typical bullying style tactics of political (both in the broad and narrow sense) highlighted.
  
  The end was always... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 72891
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Wakefield, England
  - 16 Feb 2005 at 08:53
Most recent members' reviews of The Contender
View all members' reviews (8)
- - 0
  - 0
  Washington and Presidential Politics
  
  This was a better film than I had originally anticipated.
  
  It provides a reasonably convincing portrayal at how petty and malicious some very powerful... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 736618
- - JeanMichel
  - 31 reviews
  - Gairloch
  - 02 Apr 2009 at 10:55
- - 0
  - 0
  Decent weekend watch
  
  its got a story, cliched though it is. But the actings are okayish, like the tautness of the plot. nothing too galmorous, but decent watch
  
  Report this review
- 709793
- - a customer
  - London
  - 16 Feb 2009 at 14:27
- - 0
  - 0
  PRETTY GOOD, BUT..
  
  Good idea for a story, excellent performance by Gary Oldman. The only thing which really annoyed me was the 'sincere' and very american speech by the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 492385
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 08 Nov 2007 at 08:25
- - 0
  - 0
  Loved It!!!
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film as did my husband. The lack of soundtrack brought an added element of realism.
  
  Jeff Bridges delivers a near-perfect ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 442922
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 23 May 2007 at 18:10
- - 1
  - 0
  Had Oscar nominations...
  
  Though this is about the American administration, and as a subject American politics wouldn’t generally be my number one choice for a DVD night in, this ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 386681
- - PaulaWestwood
  - 397 reviews
  - Ashton-Under-Lyne
  - 20 Nov 2006 at 08:35
- - 2
  - 0
  The Contender
  
  Great acting from the main players. Typical bullying style tactics of political (both in the broad and narrow sense) highlighted.
  
  The end was always... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 72891
- - a customer
  - Wakefield, England
  - 16 Feb 2005 at 08:53
- - 1
  - 1
  The Contender
  
  A fascinating look into American politics; well acted.
  
  Report this review
- 12296
- - a customer
  - Greater London, England
  - 26 Jul 2004 at 07:41
- - 2
  - 1
  Good story line, and ...
  
  Good story line, and up to date politically. Would have found disappointing at the cinema but good for a night in. Jeff Bridges made a very plausible President... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 33909
- - Sally#44
  - GALASHIELS
  - 22 Apr 2004 at 23:09
View all members' reviews (8)

- - 2
  - 0
  The Contender
  
  Great acting from the main players. Typical bullying style tactics of political (both in the broad and narrow sense) highlighted.
  
  The end was always... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 72891
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Wakefield, England
  - 16 Feb 2005 at 08:53
- - 2
  - 1
  Good story line, and ...
  
  Good story line, and up to date politically. Would have found disappointing at the cinema but good for a night in. Jeff Bridges made a very plausible President... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 33909
- - Sally#44
  - GALASHIELS
  - 22 Apr 2004 at 23:09
- - 1
  - 0
  Had Oscar nominations...
  
  Though this is about the American administration, and as a subject American politics wouldn’t generally be my number one choice for a DVD night in, this ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 386681
- - PaulaWestwood
  - 397 reviews
  - Ashton-Under-Lyne
  - 20 Nov 2006 at 08:35
- - 1
  - 1
  The Contender
  
  A fascinating look into American politics; well acted.
  
  Report this review
- 12296
- - a customer
  - Greater London, England
  - 26 Jul 2004 at 07:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Loved It!!!
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film as did my husband. The lack of soundtrack brought an added element of realism.
  
  Jeff Bridges delivers a near-perfect ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 442922
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 23 May 2007 at 18:10
- - 0
  - 0
  PRETTY GOOD, BUT..
  
  Good idea for a story, excellent performance by Gary Oldman. The only thing which really annoyed me was the 'sincere' and very american speech by the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 492385
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 08 Nov 2007 at 08:25
- - 0
  - 0
  Decent weekend watch
  
  its got a story, cliched though it is. But the actings are okayish, like the tautness of the plot. nothing too galmorous, but decent watch
  
  Report this review
- 709793
- - a customer
  - London
  - 16 Feb 2009 at 14:27
- - 0
  - 0
  Washington and Presidential Politics
  
  This was a better film than I had originally anticipated.
  
  It provides a reasonably convincing portrayal at how petty and malicious some very powerful... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 736618
- - JeanMichel
  - 31 reviews
  - Gairloch
  - 02 Apr 2009 at 10:55

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Critics' reviews
- "....[Ms. Allen's performance] is an exquisitely subtle study of a strong, high-principled woman pushed to the breaking point....Mr. Oldman cloaks [his] character in an aura of deep sadness..."
- 9384
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- Political thriller that holds the attention for most of the time, before succumbing to sentimentality that obviates all its insights into wheeling and dealing in the corridors of power.
- 31151
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- "...Lurie keeps the proceedings brisk and accessible....Allen is nothing less than persuasive...The supporting players are just as impressive..."
- 9386
- - Total Film
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- President Evans (Bridges) needs to appoint a new VP. Aware of the importance of the women's vote, he favours Democrat... read more on Time Out
- 44353
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- "...[Lurie] pumps honest energy into it....Played with fiery verve by Joan Allen..."
- 9385
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Allen brings sexual juice to the role..."
- 9383
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- The Contender
  
  In THE CONTENDER, the sudden death of the vice president of the United States forces U.S. president Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) to pick a replacement. He decides against picking the popular governor of Virginia, Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), and instead makes the radical choice of Senator ...