Taken away from the Western prairie, Elliott looks like the consummate Washington, D.C., insider. More importantly, his famous mustache is gone. It was a shock to my own daughter, too. In The Contender , the drama is propelled by a concoction of beltway power plays, moral witch hunts and social outcry that reflects the current political landscape. An ensemble of credible performances form the core of The Contender 's taut storytelling.
Bridges is a believable president.
Allen shows steely resolve as Hanson. Oldman drips venom as the veteran politician who plots Hanson's demise. Still, it's Elliott who turns out to be the film's best surprise. As Newman, a man fiercely loyal to the president, Elliott erupts with purposeful anger. Midway into the movie, Newman barks at Hanson with the ferocity of a junkyard dog.