The Contender (2000): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Contender is a 2000 drama thriller directed by Rod Lurie, starring Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman and Joan Allen. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $22.4 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 6m (126 min)
- Director
- Rod Lurie
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- DreamWorks Distribution
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Contender About?
The premise of The Contender without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A seasoned master chef and his promising protégé team up to compete as the United States representatives in the renowned Bocuse d'Or culinary competition. As they prepare, they face intense pressure and scrutiny, where every ingredient and technique is meticulously judged. The competition tests their skills, their partnership, and their determination to achieve culinary excellence on a global stage.
The Contender Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- trapped underwater in a car
- reference to chappaquiddick
- political thriller
- strong female lead
- underwater scene
- reference to bill clinton
- reference to napoleon
- slut shaming
- larry king character
- the white house washington d.c.
- fbi federal bureau of investigation
- female full frontal nudity
+38 more Show fewer
- female topless nudity
- female rear nudity
- past
- live action
- president
- vice president
- governor
- bridge
- orgy
- fishing
- death
- tv show
- tv news
- television announcer
- sex scene
- female frontal nudity
- political conspiracy
- conspiracy
- long take
- president of the united states
- campaigning
- yacht
- witness
- virginia
- unfaithfulness
- u.s. senator
- u.s. representative
- u.s. congress
- u.s. congressman
- tennis
- tears
- sexual politics
- reference to warren beatty
- reference to margaret thatcher
- reference to larry king
- reference to audie murphy
- reference to anwar sadat
- pro life
The Contender Cast
Jeff Bridges leads the cast, with Gary Oldman and Joan Allen. Directed by Rod Lurie.
-
Director Rod Lurie
More from Rod Lurie
More films directed by Rod Lurie, best-rated first: The Senior, The Outpost, Nothing But the Truth and Resurrecting the Champ.
The Contender Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Contender 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic
The Contender Plot Summary
What happens in The Contender from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a measured, spine-tingling political drama, second-term Democratic President Jackson Evans must fill a sudden Vice Presidency vacancy after his current running mate dies. The selection process is anything but ordinary, because the Constitution requires confirmation from both houses, turning a routine choice into a national test of nerve, ideology, and perception.
Early talk centers on Virginia Governor Jack Hathaway, celebrated as a hero after a lake rescue, but Evans envisions a different kind of legacy. He nominates Ohio Senator Laine Hanson as his running mate, a choice seen as a bold bid to break the glass ceiling and reshape the presidency’s image. The nomination triggers a high-stakes political test that could redefine an administration’s direction.
Full summary
The whole story of The Contender, scene by scene
The Contender Box Office & Budget
The Contender grossed $22.4 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 1.1 times what it cost. $17.9 million came from the US and Canada and $4.6 million (20%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$22.4M
1.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $17.9M
- International
- $4.6M
- Budget
- $20M
The Contender Awards & Nominations
The Contender was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 6 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.
6 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 2001 2 nominations- Nominated Best Female Lead – Joan Allen
- Nominated Best Supporting Male – Gary Oldman
-
Oscars 2001 2 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Jeff Bridges
- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Joan Allen
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 2001 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Joan Allen
- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman
The Contender Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Contender.
How Well Do You Know The Contender?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the President of the United States in the film?
Cars in The Contender
5 cars on screen, including the 1998 Ford Taurus and the 1995 Lincoln Town Car.
-
1998 Ford Taurus Minor role -
1995 Lincoln Town Car Minor role -
1995 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Minor role -
1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Minor role
The Contender Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “A manipulátor” and “挑拨性丑闻”.
- Also known as
-
- A manipulátor
- 挑拨性丑闻
- 政界风云
- Rufmord - Jenseits der Moral
- Candidata al poder
- Manipulations
- Η Αντιπρόεδρος
- המועמדת
- La candidate
- A Conspiração
- Претендент
- 컨텐더
+6 more Show fewer
- La conspiración
- ザ・コンテンダー
- 暗潮汹涌
- Ukryta prawda
- 暗潮洶湧
- Zirve Mücadelesi
Seen The Contender?
Movies Like The Contender
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including No Contest, Survivor and Series 7: The Contenders.
The Contender FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Contender, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Contender?
The Contender runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).
When was The Contender released?
The Contender was released on October 13, 2000.
Who directed The Contender?
The Contender was directed by Rod Lurie.
More films by Rod Lurie Who is in the cast of The Contender?
The Contender stars Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman and Joan Allen.
How much did The Contender make at the box office?
The Contender grossed $22.4 million worldwide ($17.9 million domestic, $4.6 million international) on a budget of $20 million.
How is The Contender rated?
The Contender has 6.9/10 on IMDb and 59 on Metacritic.
Was The Contender nominated for any awards?
The Contender received 6 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does The Contender have a post-credit scene?
No. The Contender has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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