Rating: 
Summary: EXPLOSIVE!!!
Review: The vice president is dead, and the president (Jeff Bridges) is getting ready to make his choice for a replacement. Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen in a role written especially for her) is the nominated choice, making her the first woman in history to hold the office. Hidden agenda's explode, as the president's rival Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman) plans to stop at nothing to keep Laine out of office. "The Contender" is a riveting thriller, that depicts the lies, and manipulation used in the game of politcs. From the first frame you are glued to your seat; not knowing who to trust, or what lie will surface next, the plot twist and turns exposing one shock after another. For two hours you are entertained, as the movie culminates in a powerful, and satisfying ending. Joan Allen is excellent as the senator; she lights up the screen with an intense, heartfelt performance. Jeff Bridges, in one of his best performances in years, plays president Jackson Evans, a man with his own agenda. Gary Oldman is magnificent (as usual) as the bad guy, Shelly Runyon. Also on hand are Sam Elliot, Christian Slater, and William Petersen in terrific supporting roles. The DVD contains lots of extras including commentary with writer/director Rod Lurie, and actress Joan Allen, as well as many deleted scenes. "The Contender" is one of the best films of the year, and a MUST own for thriller fans. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Responsible, but not guilty' yeah, right!?
Review: There are few movies that have made me this upset; in fact, I can count them on one hand easily, e.g., Reality Bites and now this farce of a movie, i.e., The Contender VHS ~ Gary Oldman. This movie had to have been funded by the Democratic Party since it said the following: "Pre4sident Clinton was Responsible, but not guilty. This statement is against the fundamentals of the rule of law and sets a bad example for the general public, e.g., a person robs a liquor store and then lies about it in a testimonial. Yes, he, the person was responsible for the theft, yet according to this newfound level of ethics and morality, the person in question is responsible but not guilty. No, thank you, watching this turkey of a movie (in my book it should be up for the infamous raspberry awards) was painful enough; but I guess if one is either a bleed heart and a hypocrite whom absolutely loved president Clinton, then this movie is for you; as for me, as stated earlier, once was bad enough.
Rating:
Summary: Tired Hollywood Attempt At Patriotism
Review: This movie was a flop. Not only because of its lack of making a mark at the box office, but also because of its total lack of having any reason to make people want to see it. Even when I got to see it for free at an advanced screening I felt I had been cheated, cheated out of two hours of my life. This movie tried to be a throw back to the political thrillers of 1940s and 1950s Hollywood when they made them right, but fails because the producers and director obviously never watched any of the classics for pointers. The plot and script decrease in importance and value as the film progresses. The characters build no connection with the audience and Joan Allen's part could have been filled by ANY actress; she does not deserve a single award nomination. The only reason this film received any recognition was due to the fact that it pandered to the overly "liberal" population in Hollywood. This film is so apparently biased in its views that a viewer would have to be both blind and deaf in order to remain unbiased in a review of it. The killer of this movie (not the only one, but a big killer of many) is when Joan Allen is on the stand and they ask her if she believes in God. She responds "No," but then adds that she believes in the, and I quote, "Church Of Democracy." I about vomited my popcorn at that point, that's how bad it was. Never see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: really preachy
Review: although the cast is a mix of excellent talent, this movie collapses under its own weight.the preaching tone of the movie starts instantly and doesn't let up throughout, leaving you feeling like you've just been yelled at, and the film is guilty of the very things(one sidedness,grandstanding, manipulating the truth for personal gain, etc.) it tries to badmouth.Put simply, this is a political thriller for people who don't pay attention to politics.
Rating:
Summary: biased baloney
Review: I saw this film at a movie theater, and it is the most biased, pretentious and silly political movie ever made. In typical Hollywood fashion, all Republicans are evil, and all Clinton-type Democrats are heroes. The movie was a complete waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Watch Out
Review: I spent an afternoon watching this movie, and walked out dumb founded. How could this simple minded movie have ran for over two weeks at the movies? It is a moving cliche. Democrats good, Republicans bad. That is it! Did Joan Allen's character commit a social faux pas in the past? The orgy, or is it a frame job. Who is behind it? Golly this is so vexing! Yeah right! The whole movie you know the score, and I knew how it would end. The character Allen played was just as one dimensional as the foes who try to take her down. This is a kiddie level insult of a politcal movie, with enough soft porn back flashes to give you whiplash. Avoid!
Rating:
Summary: People with taste, UNITE! Avoid this movie at all costs.
Review: Unfortunately, Amazon makes you give a star. Personally, I think one is too high. Fortunately, I saw this movie at a free screening. Otherwise, I would have abandoned my friend and screamed for my money back. I don't know who to ask for the two hours I wasted. Saying that, let me say that I absolutely hated this film. Granted, I'm a conservative Christian but still, looking at how they advertised this, you would not even guess at the amount of filth in it. I'm really surprised it didn't get an NC-17. The director appeared to be as obsessed as the "sleazy, Republican hypocrite" with the flashbacks of her supposed sexual freedom in college because he showed enough of them. All they were missing was the full frontal shots. Ok, I've griped about the slime in it. Let's address the overall film. I see a lot of movies. This was more predictable than The Brady Bunch. Gee, I wonder if she really did it. From the self-righteous speeches and lone tear streaking down her face, I'm guessing not. Gee, I wonder who killed the girl in the car. Was it a set-up? Could it have possibly been planned? Well, I don't know. Who is that flashing across the screen every 15 minutes talking about his political future? Wow, I am soooo surprised. Never would have guessed it. Oh, but wait, I did. About two hours ago. Now for the characterizations. Predictable as well. We have the generous, loving, sexpot of a Democrat who, of course, could not have done something so horrific. She's WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS, gosh, she must be a member of the Democratic National Committee. Well, the Repulican leader is oily, smarmy, and sweats like Nixon. He MUST be the bad guy. The Independent is young, earnest, unsure, a Newbie if you will. He has to take sides and vote his conscience. I actually have nothing against Democrats. I more or less agree with issues in all parties. However, this movie just adds to the dumbing down of America. If this is supposed to be a more enlighted era with people knowing individuals are not the equivalent of the whole, then why does this man presume to stereotype each and every one of the characters. Exhibit A: the jealous, fat, loser sorority sister who testifies against her. She has to be the most unattractive person in the world, otherwise, no one would believe she would dare speak against The Saint. Please people, if you really need to waste money send it to me. I'll take it. I'm pretty sure you'd prefer that after seeing this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Film
Review: One of the best political dramas I have seen in quite some time. Joan Allen gives a very underated performance as a vice presidential canidate who gets sucked into a sex scandal from her past. Gary Olman plays the instagating Congressman, who hates and is annoyed by the republican turned democrat Allen. The two square off against each other and it's great. Also with a great supporting cast: Jeff Bridges (Fabulous Baker Boys) who plays the President, Sam Elliot (Tombstone) as the President's main aide, and Christian Slater (Interview with a Vampire) who plays a newly appointed board member who is after the truth. This is a pure jem. This kind of film doesn't come along very often. Watch it and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: An Insult to Call it
Review: I will never understand why American moviegoers insist on believing that movies that address important issues should be considered important movies. Contrary to the assertions of the previous reviewers, The Contender is neither compelling nor satisfying. Instead, the movie is a series of disappointing political cliches. In a film clearly aimed at a Democratic audience, Joan Allen's character, a female Democratic Senator, has done no wrong in public life. By implying that she has made publicly unpopular changes in her political philosphy, the movie asserts that all of the choices she has made are acts of personal conscience, not politics. Of course, the flaws in her personal life are meant to balance her public piety out. But the movie cops out! It can't even let her be a challenging character outside the view of the public eye. Instead, it validates the opinions of her opponents by telling the audience that its ok to really like her, because she didn't actually do anything "wrong!" Meanwhile, the distinctly unappealing Gary Oldman character is played as the underhanded, McCarthyite conservative. Oldman's Congressman is not content with ruining the career of our distinguished female Senator in a despicable assault using pornography, testimony of her husband's ex-wife, and a tabloid press. He even goes so far as to corrupt an unsuspecting Congressional freshman who just wants a little piece of the power before his conscience kicks in. As a staffer for a Democratic Member of Congress and an admitted liberal and Clinton supporter, I can only say that this dumbing down of politics diminishes the importance of issues on both sides of the aisle, and would only be considered revealing to a political idiot. To call this movie sensitive is to call capitol punishment merciful. I was so browbeaten by the social agenda of The Contender that I considered checking my scalp in the mirror for visible head wounds when I went to the bathroom after the movie. If other reviewers felt this was an objective portrayal of the Washington scene, they have managed to miss the entire point of the film. They should call up the director and ask him to clarify, at which point he will likely make a film that runs "CLINTON RULES, GINGRICH STINKS" across the screen for two hours. Maybe then they'll get it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), they probably won't be able to reach him because their support for his lousy movie will undoubtedly lead to future writing and directing gigs for this talentless hack. The only redeeming aspects of this piece of trash were the exceptional performances of Gary Oldman and Jeff Bridges. Oldman plays his ridiculous character with the appropriate mix of slime and gusto. As for Bridges, he portrays a President I would love to have in the Oval Office. Knowledgable and charming with just a dab of eccentricity, Bridges President clearly loves being President, both for the obvious reasons and because of his childlike fascination with the various perks afforded to a holder of that office. Clinton without the mess. If you want to see a satisfying political movie, rent or buy the Manchurian Candidate, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, All the President's Men, Parallax View, Bob Roberts, The Candidate, Primary Colors, Wag the Dog, or any number of other exceptional political films that have no business being compared to the B-movie treatment afforded the American political system by The Candidate.
Rating:
Summary: ....pulls no punches....
Review: In this year of political uncertainty, The Contender is an absolutely riveting film that pulls no punches. Centering on the confirmation of vice presidential nominee Laine Hanson, played brilliantly by Joan Allen, it is a no holds barred "political thriller" that leaves the viewer fully involved. Gary Oldman turns in an Oscar caliber performance as Shelly Runyon, the Republican senator trying to derail Hanson's nomination. This film is a definite success when it comes to casting, but what makes this movie truly shine is it's incredibly strong writing. It is a fascinating look into the darker side of Washington politics where the end justifies the means even if the final result is "destroying a life". Nothing is as it seems and everyone's motives come into question. Where this movie stalls, however, is characterization. The character of Laine Hanson is decidedly too liberal to ever hail from the state of Ohio and her emphasis on integrity over ambition seems a bit too unrealistic for the cut throat world of D.C. politics. As well, Robin Thomas' portrayal as the outraged husband, William Hanson, is so flat and wooden the movie would have been better served if he had not been included. In the end, however, these are very minor flaws in a film that is one of the best political films ever made.
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