The Contender

Starring: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen Director: Rod Lurie Original UK Premiere: 2001 Dvd Release: 29th October, 2001 Number Of Discs: 1 Format: PAL, Widescreen, Region 2 Encoding

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The Contender is a disturbing political thriller directed by Rod Lurie about a Democratic President who, in the wake of his Vice Presidents death, is seeking the confirmation of his replacement. President Evans considers nominating a loyal governor, Jack Hathaway, to the position. When he witnesses a car drive off a bridge, he tries to save the driver & fails, the President drops him, claiming that his admininstration cant afford another Chappaquiddick. He then taps a talented female Senator as his running mate, only to see her accused of sexual immorality by Republicans, possibly with the help of his first choice for VP. would having adventuresome sex as a college student even be an issue at all if she were a man? This movie is a chilling depiction of a modern-day witchhunt. Christian Slater as Rep. Reginald Webster. William Petersen as Governor Jack Hathaway. Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot. Were both sticking to our guns. The difference is, mine are loaded. The Contender   at the Internet Movie Database. Posters Of The Contender

DVD Extras: a trailer, four TV spots, an interview with Joan Allen & 10 deleted scenes with optional commentary from director Lurie, all worthy of your attention. But the enthusiastic commentary from Lurie & Allen is the real treat. Crammed with information about the advice on re-editing given by Steven Spielberg, Lurie reveals the fall-out it caused with Gary Oldman. Gossip aside, it's also fascinating to hear him explaining his feminist standpoint after having become father to a daughter.--

After years of yawn-inducing testosterone displays in the political arena, The Contender is a uniquely intelligent feminist statement. Written & directed by Rod Lurie, the plot is concerned with appointing a female Vice President to the White House. Barring her way are the collective prejudices & petty-minded historical grudges that mire all politics. For her, theyre all focused in the repellent form of an unrecognisable Gary Oldman as Sheldon Runyan. Several other performances stand alongside these two excellent leads: a commanding President from Jeff Bridges, a fresh-faced do-gooder from Christian Slater & an incendiary moustache-free presidential aide from Sam Elliott. Beneath the extremely engaging surprise-filled plot, there are also several layers of commendable moral thematics. Effectively put on trial for being who she is & what she may or may not have done in her past, Allens character stands for much more than a position in the Office. Viewers are presented with the thought-provoking statement: principles only matter if you stick by them when theyre inconvenient.

Leonard Gary Oldman is a British actor. Gary Oldman was born in London, England. When he was older, he won a scholarship to Britain s Rose Bruford Drama College, where he received a BA in Theatre Arts in 1979. He later studied with the Greenwich Young Peoples Theatre & went on to appear in a number of plays throughout the early 80s, including The Popes Wedding, for which he received Time Out s Fringe Award for Best Newcomer of 1985 - 1986 & the British Theatre Association s Drama Magazine Award as Best Actor of 1985. Oldman is 1,78m in height. He first appeared on the screen in the film Remembrance in 1982, going on the win his first starring role in Sid & Nancy, in which he played the rocker Sid Vicious. He has played a variety of characters including Dracula, Ludwig van Beethoven, Lee Harvey Oswald, Pontius Pilate & the Devil. Posters Of Gary Oldman

Editors Choice: Sin, Nobodys Baby, The Contender, Leon, Air Force One, Nil By Mouth, The Fifth Element, The Scarlet Letter, View DVDology

Joan Allen is an American actress. Allen began her acting career as as a stage actress & on television before making her film debut in Compromising Positions. In 1989 Allen returned to the stage & won a Tony Award in her Broadway debut performance in Burn This. She received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Pat Nixon in Nixon & for her role as a woman whose husband is accused of witchcraft in The Crucible. She was also nominated for Best Actress in The Contender as a politician who becomes the object of scandal. She has also starred in the mini series The Mists of Avalon. She is married to the actor Peter Friedman. Posters Of Joan Allen

Editors Choice: The Contender, Its The Rage, Manhunter, Yes, View DVDology

Rod Lurie is an American director, screenwriter & former film critic. The son of internationally syndicated cartoonist Ranan Lurie, he was born in Israel but moved to America at a young age. Graduating from West Point military academy in 1984, he became an entertainment reporter & film critic. His irreverent style often raised controversy & got him banned from screenings. Luries first foray into filmmaking, as writer & director, was the low-budget political thriller Deterrence. His second was the critically acclaimed The Contender, written for Joan Allen & co-starring Gary Oldman & Jeff Bridges. His next effort, The Last Castle, was a commercial failure. He is currently working on Resurrecting the Champ, a boxing drama. Posters Of The Last Castle

Editors Choice: The Last Castle, The Contender, View DVDology

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