The Contender

2000
US
126 min
15

Directed by: Rod Lurie
Written by: Rod Lurie
Cast: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, Sam Elliott, William L Petersen, Saul Rubinek, Philip Baker Hall, Mike Binder, Robin Thomas, Mariel Hemingway, Kathryn Morris

In writer-director Lurie's post-Clinton dream version of a Democratic presidency, Allen's high-minded senator becomes the subject of a sex scandal. She is targeted by Oldman's right-wing congressman when President Jackson Evans (Bridges) chooses her to succeed the recently deceased vice-president. Lurie, however, hasn't found a way of making committed liberal drama without descending into sanctimony.