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The Contender

Graeme Isbister

The Contender is a well made political thriller that calls up ghosts of recent American politics.

Laine Hansen, a Democrat senator (played by Joan Allen), is tabbed to become the next Vice-President. Republican senator Sheldon Runyan (Gary Oldman), a fierce ideologue, resists her nomination and discovers evidence of a sexual indiscretion from Hansen’s past that he uses to attempt to block her appointment. As the story unfolds, we see the lobbying, back room deals, infighting and ethical dilemmas that are, we assume, the stuff and substance of political life at this level.

The Contender looks at contemporary political and moral issues from a clearly defined perspective: The liberal, “Democratic” values of Hansen are good, and those of her opponents are not. The right wing Runyan is presented as a cold, mean-spirited, manipulative hypocrite, while Hansen is a compassionate, slightly flawed but highly principled public servant.

The movie raises questions of personal responsibility. Admitting to a tryst with her best friend’s husband, Hansen confesses remorse for the pain she has caused, but states that “love is an involuntary act”. Hmm . . . sounds like some of the “He’s just a red-blooded man” excuses we heard for Bill Clinton’s relations with Monica Lewinsky.

The Contender also addresses the issue of personal and public responsibility. When Hansen is asked about the truth of the allegations of sexual misconduct, she responds that it is a personal matter and has no bearing on her suitability as Vice-President. If the Clinton years taught us anything, it is that there is a connection between one’s public and one’s private life. That is a lesson at least as old as the reign of King David, another admittedly flawed leader.

Finally, demonizing “the Right” as The Contender does will likely contribute to the too familiar “Hollywood is anti-Christian” lament so prevalent in Christian circles. It does clarify the challenge to biblical people to be salt and light in all areas of God’s world. How refreshing it would be to see more engagement of our society in politics, arts and entertainment and all other aspects of our culture from a truly compassionate, biblically principled and morally consistent perspective.

Graeme Isbister is senior pastor of Sardis Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C.

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Last modified June 16, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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