Leonard Maltin Says:
On a recent episode of Secret's Out, we spotlighted films featuring the stars of the new Batman movie The Dark Knight. One of those stars is the gifted actor Gary Oldman, who has the ability to transform himself, almost chameleon-like, into a wide variety of characters. In Rod Lurie's The Contender, the British-born performer becomes a calculated American congressman who's out to find dirt on Vice Presidential nominee Joan Allen.
The current VP's death enables president Jeff Bridges to nominate senator Allen to fill the vacancy, and make history in the bargain. But Oldman, from the opposing party, takes a certain glee in dredging up any embarrassments he can find in Allen's past, and doesn't mind putting ethics aside in the process. The Contender is a solid political thriller with a strong cast, well-drawn characters, and plenty of surprises.