Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2000)
Allen shines amid 'Contender's'flaws Courtesy photo President Jadson Evans, played by Jeff Bridges, announces Ms vice presidential nominee, Laine Hanson, played by Joan Allen, in the movie "The Contender.” uwmiiPgK from page 8 Contender” then becomes a question not of guilt or inno cence, but rather Hanson’s princi ples, as she wont dignify Runyon’s veiled accusations with a response, not even a deniaL Lurie’s puts a good spin on it the argument that what a woman did in college 20 years before sex ually has any bearing on her abili ty to lead. Hanson says it doesn’t; through her, so does the movie. Allen, an A-list supporting actress for years, delivers a whop per of a performance as Hanson - equal turns of tough, motherly, sexy and vulnerable. As her adver sary, Oldman steals several scenes, if only because his Illinois accent suggests a good deal more cunning than the Southern twang some might have expected from a hardline, religious Republican. Christian Slater blends in nicely as a House Committee member who loyalties swing by the day. Bridges makes an impres sive President Jackson Evans, who at first seems softer than his actions and threat-laced bouts of advice reveal him to be. Cunning commanders-in-chief are always the most provocative. Lurie stirs tnis ensemoie together to make a pungent brew, the kind of conversational fodder that can go on a few a days after ward. The movie makes no bones about its partisanship - it’s liberal all the way. It declares itself as such, vehemently so, during a scene when Hanson recites her stance on the issues. Ids at that turn, the pot ready ing its simmer point, that “The Contender” tilts so far left it drops into the Potomac. We find that ongoihg FBI Investigation con cerning Hanson is actually a nice bit of misdirection, except that leads to a rather preposterous plot twist Other facts about Hanson’s stance on the issues - she’s an atheist who champions the elimi nation of all guns, for example - would prevent her appointment well before a sex scandal. To adhere us to a better nature is one thing. Lurie seems to take the audience for fools. And then, a final stroke that weighs as most disappointing: Hanson reveals to one in her inner circle die details of the fraternity party. It’s a downer that "The Contender” can’t hold the beans that its character keeps hidden so boldly, all the while answering questions about her birth control and an affair she had with her cur rent husband while he was mar ried to another woman. It doesn’t even matter what the truth of it was: If the point of all proceeded before it was to estab lish the integrity of silence, why break it? Impassioned arguments The Contender ] -C Director: —CStars: —C Rating: of 4 stars can be made on either side. Butin “The Contender's" running time, the conclusion is spent in grand standing gesture, die soundtrack trumpeting with the glory of democracy. Lurie wants to end on a gal loping high note, so the end feels rushed. Oldman, speaking to an online magazine, claims Lurie was pressured by Steven Spielberg's production outfit, Dreamworks’, to shape and mold the conclusion to more satisfying ly liberal standards. Watching it, that assumption is not surprising. “The Contender" won't drive Republicans from the theater in animosity, but it will raise their antennae to yet another slanted approach to politics. There is a reverse side to the movie's think ing. I found myself on that side a few times during it. A shame it wasn’t explored. Please / Recycle this | Newspaper Try All The Winning Varieties! • HOT POCKETS* • LEAN POCKETS* • CROISSANT POCKETS •TOASTER BREAKS* •HOTPOCKETVbrandPIZB I MFQl COUPON lEXPWES DECEMBER 31.2000 ~| «==—■ - • " W' I Save 501 \ CROISSANT POCKETS*MSMusaMdaT HOT POCKETS* fc-a PIZZA MINI'S®, or TOASTER BREAKS* ■aodMHbMdPba , Tl* ociyon good orty on product Hit ran Any ot»i—cot- I PMb tad COUPON NOT TTMMFEMBLE. IMl ONE COUPON PER L.___ ...... _ MPHVP! opportunity to work at Mayo Clinic for the summer. Summer III is a paid, supervised hospital work experience at Saint Marys and Rochester Methodist Hospital. You are eligible for Summer in after your junior year of a four-year baccalaureate nursing program. It includes direct patient care experience in the inpatient or ambulatory care setting. Mayo Nursing was awarded the Magnet Hospital Recognition Status for Excellence in Nursing Service by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. For more information contact: Nayo Clinic ft Hospitals - Summer III Program Human Resources, 200 1st Street SW, OE-4 Rochester, MN 55905, ph 800-562-7984 fax 507-266-3167, e-mail careersftmayo.edu 1 Application Deadline: January 15, 2001 j _ www.mayo.edu TAll^ATE 2: ON THE PAINT NOVEMBER 2nd 7:30PM DAVID SPADE NU Student Tickets - $12.50 (available October 9th) Students use your NU ID- Express Charge: Nebraska Union tickexmaster only. Public Tickets - $16.75 (available October 14th) BOB DEVANEY SPORTS CENTER r x s' x s' x THE GLASS GALLERY. LTD. At Gateway Mall HOUDAY HELP WANTED Holiday Dollars Our blown glass gift kiosk needs personable, honest, self-starting retail associates from Nov. 3 thru Dec. 31. Retail or mgmt exp. a plus. Day, eve. & wknd. hours available. 10-30 hrs. per week. $8-$10 per hour, plus bonus & empl. disc. Call 9am-9pm: 1-800-466-4527 or visit www.glassgallery.net /i - cx . rx >» . r» No matter your situation, if you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy; you have choices to make. The Nebraska Children’s Home Society can help you make the best decisions for you and your baby - without obligations. To speak with us confidentially; pleak contact us. Pregnancy Hotline; (800) 390.6754 (402)483.7879 • www.Mhs.org 4700 Valley Road • Lincoln, NE 68510 cEjHrerisTiqjne A prwtAff stMtowim, nonprofit cbiUpitdMf 4QB9cyL W.C.’s Downtown 1228 P Street Presents... Penny Pitchers! This and every Wednesday! 8-close . Ihursdays: SS.Sfl??.. This Friday, October 20th, W.C.’s goes Unplugged! ACOUSTIC SESSIONS - w/ performances by Five Story Fall, the Aaron Zimmer Band, & from Minneapolis, Kate Spoden. 19 & over Show starts at 9:30 p.m. SATURDAY - NU v. Baylor Tons of drink specials all day & night. Haunted Haydide Haunted Maze Bonetbe Concessions Hotdogs • Funnel cakes • pretzels • nachos 7-Una Sept. 30 - Oct 1, Oct 6 -8th, Oct 13-IS Oct 20-31 792-2700 Swansons Olive Creek Orchard 2 MILES SOUTH OF HICKMAN (go South on 56th & follow signs to 68th a Olive Creek rd. $7.00 PER PERSON 50 Cents off with this ad _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______ J