- Title: CANADA/USA: LOS ANGESLES PREMIERE OF "THE CONTENDER"
- Date: 11th October 2000
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 10) (REUTERS) MCU (ENGLISH) GARY OLDMAN SAYING OF HIS CHARACTER, The springboard for it was Henry Hyde. It was the hardest accent that I've ever done. I've done a few. You know, and I think it would be, it would be hard for an American who doesn't come from that part of the world. But it's just smoke and mirrors, isn't it, r
- Embargoed: 26th October 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA & LOS ANGELES, US AND FILM LOCATIONS
- City:
- Country: Canada
- Reuters ID: LVA2IK29R73CBGQY0UHS3FG12A2D
- Story Text: With the American election season in full swing, twice Oscar nominated actress Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges unveil their timely new political thriller - "The Contender" - a slice of Washington powerplay behind closed doors. Both stars rolled out for the Los Angeles premiere. The film also stars Gary Oldman and Christian Slater.
In her first leading role in a motion picture, Joan Allen plays US Senator Laine Hanson, who has been chosen by President Jackson Evans - Jeff Bridges - to fill the office of Vice-President following the death of the encumbent 'VP.' The selection meets with opposition from members of both parties, including the powerful and Machiavellian Congressman Shelly Runyon, played by Gary Oldman, and his protege, young Congressman Reginald Webster, played by Christian Slater.
Hanson's confirmation hearings, led by Runyon, set off a firestorm of controversy as shocking secrets from her past are revealed, threatening her personal life as well as her political future.
This isn't Allen's first foray into the arena of American politics.
She previously received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of first lady Pat Nixon in Oliver Stone's drama "Nixon." Despite this, she claims to be decidedly un-political in her personal life.
In addition to playing the role of a cynical midwestern Congressman, Oldman also served as the film's executive producer.
He calls the American accent he uses in the film the hardest he's ever done. His vocal and physical transformation in the role has resulted in audiences not recognizing him until halfway through the movie.
While Oldman based his character on Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde, who chaired Bill Clinton's recent impeachment hearings, Jeff Bridges says he looked to his father, actor Lloyd Bridges, as inspiration for the President of the United States.
Also in the cast are Sam Elliot as the President's Chief of Staff, Saul Rubinek as his Communications Director and William Petersen as a state governor vying for the Vice Presidential appointment.
"The Contender" is the second feature film by former movie critic Rod Lurie, who also wrote the screenplay specifically as a starring vehicle for Joan Allen.
It opens in theatres throughout the US this week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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