The Contender Hit Theaters Following The Lewinsky Scandal
The 2000 film The Contender was made in response to the Monica Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton. It stars Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Christian Slater. It centers on the President of the United States and what happens when he appoints a new Vice President after the current VP suddenly dies. Rather than touch on her qualifications, one congressman, played by Oldman, questions the VP candidate about her sexual history. The subsequent hearings make headlines for their intrusiveness. The film was mired in some controversy. Oldman later claimed edits were made to appease the studio’s Democratic inclination.
