The Contender (2000)
79%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
1 win & 22 nominations total
The Contender wears its political heart on its sleeve, but strong performances and a solid screenplay help the end result add up to a gripping drama from either side of the aisle
The Contender” is a political drama that’s got it all: sex, lies, and politics. It’s like “House of Cards” but with a better cast and less Kevin Spacey. Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, and Gary Oldman are all fantastic, and the story is captivating. It’s a little overlong, but it’s worth it for the scandalous wit and energy. Plus, it’s got some pretty shameless leftist propaganda, which is always fun. Overall, “The Contender” is a great movie for anyone who loves politics, drama, and a good cast.
Production Company(ies)
Toho Company,
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Santa Clarita, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong sexual content and language
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 6m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2000 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2012
Genre(s)
Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
starring Joan Allen, Gary Oldman, Jeff Bridges, Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, William Petersen, Katheryn Morris, directed by Rod Lurie, written by Rod Lurie, Mystery & Thriller, R rating, box office gross $17.8M, produced by Willi Bär, Marc Frydman, James Spies, Douglas Urbanski, reviewed by David Germain, Nell Minow, Peter Travers, George Perry, Philip Wuntch, Glenn Lovell, David Nusair, Ted Murphy, Christopher Smith, Michael Dequina, Joan Allen as Laine Hanson, Gary Oldman as Shelly Runyon, Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans, Sam Elliott as Kermit Newman, Christian Slater as Reginald Webster, William Petersen as Gov Jack Hathaway, political drama, first woman Vice President, confirmation hearings, shocking secrets, scandal, personal life, political future, strong performances, solid screenplay, gripping drama, timing, dialogue, funny, wicked, intense meeting, Oval Office, explicit footage, sexual romp, media-televised investigation, secret agent, morality play, potboiler red herrings, questionable attacks on loyalty, heavy-handed, well-acted, uncompromising candidate, chief nemesis, folksy Commander in Chief, Farrelly Brothers-inspired hairstyle, select committee, appointing, vilification, indecent sexual past, kowtow, powers that be, loaded with twists, original, conceivable, subtle but effective, over-the-top finale, Hollywood-ized, betraying, okay but unsatisfying, skip-able
Worldwide gross: $22,428,990
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $38,901,194
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,447
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,242,224
US/Canada gross: $17,872,723
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $30,998,733
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,263
US/Canada opening weekend: $5,363,900
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,303,233
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 978
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $20,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $34,688,315
Production budget ranking: 1,065
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $18,679,658
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$14,466,779
ROI to date (est.): -27%
ROI ranking: 1,547
Gary Oldman – Shelly Runyon
Jeff Bridges – President Jackson Evans
Sam Elliott – Kermit Newman
Christian Slater – Reginald Webster
William Petersen – Gov. Jack Hathaway
Director – Rod Lurie
Producers – Willi Bär, Marc Frydman, James Spies, Douglas Urbanski
Writer – Rod Lurie
Director(s)
Rod Lurie
Writer(s)
Rod Lurie
Producer(s)
Willi Bär, Marc Frydman, James Spies, Douglas Urbanski
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
1 win & 22 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (131) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (100) | Rotten (31)
The movie has plenty going for it: a terrific cast led by Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman, a captivating story line, a sharp script. Most important, The Contender has timing.
January 18, 2018
David Germain
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
Thoughtful, enjoyable film for older teens.
December 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
May 8, 2001 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
April 16, 2001 | Rating: 3/5
George Perry
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
Streetsmart and savvy.
January 1, 2000
Philip Wuntch
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
What it lacks in credibility, it more than makes up for in energy and scandalous wit.
January 1, 2000
Glenn Lovell
San Jose Mercury News
TOP CRITIC
…a slightly overlong yet mostly compelling drama…
May 11, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
September 8, 2009 | Rating: 2/5
Ted Murphy
Hollywood.com
Sex, lies and politics–they all boil together beautifully in “The Contender,” a strong political drama that understands Washington, knows its dirty secrets, and uses its excellent cast to fine effect.
October 18, 2007 | Rating: A-
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Pretty much shameless leftist propaganda being sold as conventional Hollywood entertainment, but it manages to satisfy on the traditional genre terms.
October 14, 2007 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
The Contender thumps its Democratic Bible hard enough to put Jonathan Edwards to shame.
July 30, 2007 | Rating: 2/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
July 14, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/4
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound…
Plot
A political thriller about Laine Hanson, a Senator who is nominated to become Vice President following the death of the previous office holder. During the confirmation process, Laine is the victim of a vicious attack on her personal life in which stories of sexual deviancy are spread. She is torn as to whether she should fight back, or stick to her high principles and refuse to comment on the allegations.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Gary Oldman sports a “Farrelly Brothers-inspired hairstyle” in his role as the chief nemesis of the film.
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