The Contender

American political drama starring Gary Oldman, Jeff Bridges and Joan Allen.

President Jackson Evans (Bridges) must select a successor following the death of his Vice President and he surprises many people within the Senate when he chooses Senator Laine Hanson (Allen), thereby making her the first woman to occupy the post.

However, congressman Shelly Runyon (Oldman) opposes the appointment and, when he uncovers photographs from Hanson's college days, he starts a sexual scandal as he seeks to undermine her appointment.

Hanson remains firm in her refusal to dignify the lurid claims being made against her but with the political storm gathering force, it is not clear how effective her principled stance will be.