Early in the story, we learn that the Vice President has died in office. President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) has two qualified replacements from which to choose: Governor Jack Hathaway (William Petersen), who recently became a hero trying to save a car wreck victim, and Laine Hanson (Joan Allen), an Ohio senator who is a convert to the Democratic party. Many in his cabinet try to convince the President to choose Hathaway, but he chooses Hanson, partly because she's qualified and partly because the appointment of the first female V.P. will be his legacy.

Joan Allen's bid for the Vice Presidency is jeopardized by a sex scandal in The Contender

Laine happily accepts the invitation, but the confirmation hearings are tough. A Republican congressman named Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman) openly tells the President that he would sooner confirm Hathaway. Then Runyon uncovers a bombshell: while in college, Laine allegedly participated in a fraternity "gang bang," of which there is photographic evidence. Runyon investigates the issue further, with the help of a ruthlessly ambitions young Democratic congressman named Reginald Webster (Christian Slater), who will get appointed to a good committee in return for his help. Laine is confronted with the evidence of her past during the confirmation hearings, but she refuses to comment on it. To her, it's a personal issue that does not affect her ability to do the job. Her refusal to address the issue just makes her seem more guilty and threatens to destroy her chances.

Before seeing The Contender, I had heard some rumblings that the film was Democratic propaganda aimed at sending a pro-Gore message in this important election year. However, I was surprised by how balanced the film is. Unlike Rob Reiner's The American President (in which Richard Dreyfuss' sole Republican character was portrayed with all the sympathy of a Nazi SS commander), The Contender realizes the complexities in a politician of any party. Shelly Runyon isn't a generic "evil Republican." There are scenes showing that he takes his political views seriously and sticks by them. There's also a nice scene between he and his wife, in which we garner a lot of sympathy for the character. Laine's father (Phillip Baker Hall) is also a Republican, and he is portrayed as a loyal, decent man.

Conversely, while the true heroes of The Contender are all Democrats, liberals are shown as having their flaws as well. Reginald Webster sells out his beliefs to further his career. Another character (whom I won't reveal) turns out to be more corrupt than we initially think. And, lest anyone think the characters are robotic in their views, Laine even has a moment where she admits voting to impeach Bill Clinton ("He was not guilty, but responsible," she says).

This back-and-forth of political ideas is what I loved about the movie. So many pictures make their politicians members of some non-descript party, or else they play obvious favorites (I again cite Mr. Reiner's simplistically negative view of those with opinions different from his own). By taking real events and showing the political discourse that arises from them, The Contender comes alive with dramatic energy. Regardless of your party affiliation, you will find a lot to discuss and debate here.

Lurie is obviously a student of the political process. In addition to creating realistic characters with authentic viewpoints, he shows a lot of savvy for the way the political machine runs. For example, rumors of Laine's sexual exploits are leaked to an internet website. During the confirmation hearings, Runyon - while trying to sound appalled - goes out of his way to give the web address so anyone with a computer can access the information. There's an obvious parallel here to the way Linda Tripp and Lucianne Goldberg leaked details of the Clinton/Lewinsky affair to the website run by Matt Drudge. In this technologically advanced society, even computers are a weapon. Lurie bases the events in his movie on the real-life process of double-dealing.

The writing is obviously quite good, as are the performances. Oldman (a real-life conservative) brings depth and humanity to Shelly Runyon. He avoids the kind of one-dimensional overacting that marred Dreyfuss' performance in American President. Oldman, who is almost unrecognizable in glasses and wig, makes the character a real person with a real world view; other characters may not agree with him, but they all respect him and we understand why.

He's good, (so are Bridges and Slater) but the star of the show is Joan Allen. I have no doubt in my mind that she will win an Academy Award nomination for her work here. One of our most accomplished actresses, Allen is able to show Laine's strength and vulnerability at the same time. The senator really wants to win the appointment, but the fact that these horrendous allegations keep surfacing causes her to slowly break down. Allen creates the sense that Laine is a good woman with deep beliefs who finds herself wearied by the incessant mudslinging. It's a beautiful piece of acting.

The Contender is not perfect (I think it wimps out slightly with a surprise revelation at the end), but it is intelligent, thought-provoking, and massively entertaining. Like all the best political movies, it draws you in by raising important issues and forcing you to examine them. I was riveted the entire two hours. Regardless of who you vote for this year, elect to see this movie.

( out of four)

The Contender is rated R for strong sexual content and language. The running time is 2 hours and 2 minutes.