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As his second term comes to an end, US President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) nominates
Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen) to replace his deceased Vice President–a move that he wants to be part of the legacy as a Democrat. Hanson's nomination has to be confirmed
by a committee headed by Republican Representative Shelley Runyon (Gary Oldman), who strongly roots for Governor Jack Hathaway (William Petersen) for the position. Runyon
enlists young congressman Reginald Webster (Christian Slater) to dig up Hanson's past to support his unsubstantiated dislike of the lady senator.
The plot is not the best thing about The Contender, because much of the story isn't new
to those who see politics as a dirty business. What pulls the story together–and holds the viewer spellbound through 126 minutes of close-ups and talkies–are the tight
dialogue, the superb acting, the well-calculated cinematography and the screenplay. Written and directed by Los Angeles film critic turned filmmaker Rod Lurie, The
Contender keeps the viewer awake without resorting to action or visual distractions. Even as the viewer already knows the stink in politics, he is still given realistic,
documentary-like glimpses of this dirty world as the movie takes him by the hand and leads him through the secret halls and rooms of the Whitehouse where meetings are held
away from the media's cameras.
Ironically, it is the movie's technical excellence that could help promote values and ideas
that may prove harmful to impressionable minds (of whatever age). Senator Hanson is portrayed as a highly principled politician, refusing to be dragged down into political
mudslinging, and yet look at the causes she champions–abortion (made to sound commendable as "a woman's right to choose") and atheism ("I may be an atheist but I do go to
church, the church that … produced our Declaration of Freedom …"), etc. In an almost brilliant argument for "the right to choose" that women's libbers would triumphantly
echo, Hanson implies that a woman who decides against abortion is not choosing but is being imposed upon. On the other hand, the lines supposed to defend the unborn are
delivered by Runyon who as villain would naturally be despised by the audience. Bridges' Jackson–forever munching on a sandwich at meetings–is a casual and playful
President, someone that young would equate with "cool" and 'okay." Add to this Jackson's stamp of approval upon Hanson's views and you get a very attractive package of
misconceptions to confuse the immature viewer.
Parents and educators will find much in The Contender to discuss with
youngsters–issues that find their parallel in recent events in Philippine politics, such as: "Is it all right to resort to lies to fulfill one's ambitions? Is it wrong for
the people to demand transparency of their public servants? How impeccable is media as channel for the truth? While it is desirable for one to fight for his principles, the
follower of Jesus must be careful that these principles are inspired by the noblest of ideals, giving life, and leading to man's loftiest goal–union with God.
(Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001)
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