Search - The Contender on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 03/06/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 7 mins Studio: DreamWorks Total Copies: 30 Genres: Drama, Political Drama, Message Movie

The hard-ball gamesmanship and casual character assassination of American politics sets the stage for this thriller from writer and director Rod Lurie. When the Vice President of the United States unexpectedly dies, all eyes in Washington D.C. are on President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) as he chooses a new VP. Sen. Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), a respected career politician enjoying a new swell of popularity after a well-publicized attempt to save a drowning woman, is expected to be Evans' choice, but instead he picks Sen. Laine Hanson (Joan Allen), a decision that raises eyebrows on both sides of the political fence. Veteran power broker Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman) is vehemently opposed to Hanson's appointment, in part because the Democratic senator was once a Republican, and vows to do everything in his power to prevent her from being confirmed. Runyon and his staff start digging for dirt on Hanson, and soon make a surprising discovery -- her personal morality is called into question when it's alleged that she took part in a group sexual liaison while she was a college student. The Contender also stars Mike Binder as one of Hanson's advisors, Mariel Hemingway as an old friend with a surprising secret, Christian Slater as an ambitious congressmen assisting Runyon, and Philip Baker Hall as Hanson's father; it was the second feature from former film critic Rod Lurie. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Joan Allen - Sen. Laine Hanson
Gary Oldman - Congressman Sheldon B. Runyon
Jeff Bridges - President Jackson Evans
Sam Elliott - Kermit Newman
Christian Slater - Congressman Reginald Webster

Dreamworks' The Contender comes to DVD in an elegant special edition with a crisp 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, a choice of sound options (Dolby Digital 5.1, Surround 2.0 or DTS), and plenty of behind-the-scenes information. Beginning with a wide-ranging audio commentary by writer/director Rod Lurie and actress Joan Allen, they focus on the political ideas and morality that brought together a stellar cast and crew on a surprisingly low budget. Their conversation covers the technical and artistic aspects of the production, as well as their individual impressions of working with Hollywood favorites Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, and Sam Elliott. Another highlight is an extensive deleted scenes section, including Lurie's comments, which demonstrate how good scenes and story lines sometimes end up on the cutting room floor. "The Making of a Political Thriller" featurette thankfully sidesteps the usual co-star compliments and instead explores the history of political dramas, from classics like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and All the President's Men to modern satires Wag the Dog and Bob Roberts. Along with the expected extras of a theatrical trailer, production notes, and filmographies, the DVD package provides a thorough and thoughtful background to this intelligent political drama. ~ Marina Chavez, All Movie Guide