Rod Lurie brings a revival of the political thriller with The Contender; the 2000 film starring a host of some of the most talented actors and actresses in Hollywood. The film gives a modern twist on the genre with a serious look at morals and principles in the top levels of the American government.
First, let me start by commending the fine performance of Joan Allen. I have never before paid much attention to her roles, if only because she does not have many top billed starring roles. However, after listening to an interview with the writer-director of this film, I must take a closer look. Lurie wrote the script with her in mind for the main character. In fact, Jeff Bridges declined to sign his contract until he was sure that Allen had signed hers as well. In this film, Allen plays the role of Senator Laine Hanson, the center of the controversy. After the Vice President died suddenly, the office became vacant. She was not the President's first choice. After the first man on his list got himself into trouble, his only other alternative was to put a woman into office.
What is very intriguing to me throughout the entire film is not actually the situation itself, but rather the way in which Allen's character responds to her accusers. She chooses to make an example of the men on the committee, and not respond at all to the charges. By not answering, she is telling them that it was not appropriate to ask the questions in the first place. The question centers on the subject of her sexual indiscretions. What this movie attempts to illustrate is the different standards set for men and women. When a man in office fools around, it is accepted as behavior that does not necessarily interfere with his duties in office. A woman in the same situation may railroad her chances at any political confidence by her constituents. The tagline of the movie says it all in once sentence; "Sometimes you can assassinate a leader without firing a shot."
The man involved in this controversy is of course the President's first choice, Jack Hathaway. He initially could not proceed as a candidate because he got himself in trouble. No, it had nothing to do with sexual indiscretions. It was actually something much worse. I will not give away any details, as it would ruin the film for anyone that has not seen it. This character in the film is very important to the message conveyed. The destruction of Hathaway's character develops in much of the same way the plot does; it is very slow to come about, but has a powerful outcome. On a side note, you must pay very close attention to the film in order to notice the clues given about his situation. In this way, the movie is similar to The Usual Suspects or The Spanish Prisoner.
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