Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday. October 11, 2000
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Helen, Sweetheart of the Internet
Movie portrays political scandal
The Associated Press
As Laine, Allen plays a fiercely intelligent, liberal-minded Democratic senator tapped by the president (Bridge) to replace his deceased vice president. Oldman leads the opposition, which is trying to derail Laine's nomination.
If only the political leaders who criticize Hollywood for a lack of positive role models had just a fraction of the virtuous, unimpeachable nature of Laine Hanson, the political role model extraordinaire in the riveting White House saga The Contender.
Opponents use Laine's abortion-rights stand and her disdain for religion as ammunition, but their main weapon is a group-sex encounter she supposedly had in college. Offended, Laine refuses to answer questions about her sexual past, insisting "It is simply beneath my dignity."
Most important, The Contender has timing. This tale of a vice-presidential hopeful caught up in lurid innuendo about her sex life comes as the nation prepares to move on from years of lurid innuendo under Bill Clinton.
Thoughts naturally turn to the Clinton investigation as the likely inspiration for The Contender. Writer-director Rod Lurie says he actually drew more from the Clarence Thomas hearings for the Supreme Court, since those also dealt with unsubstantiated allegations of past sexual behavior.
The movie has plenty going for it: a terrific cast led by Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman, a captivating story line and a sharp script.
In contrast to the pettiness that characterized impeachment attacks on Clinton and his own linguistic legerdemain during the Lewinsky sex scandal, the movie gives us the nobility of Laine Hanson (Allen) and her commitment to personal ideals at any cost.
The son of political cartoonist Ranan Lurie, the director obviously relishes both the subtleties and the bluntness of insider politics. The Contender clips along with the bawdy, tawdry energy of fine palace intrigue.
Allen delivers with passion and sophistication. But Laine is like an idealization of a leader from Plato's world of forms, set against real political hacks from the world of shadows. She is perhaps too good to exist and thrive in the real Washington. But it sure would be nice.
Distributed by DreamWorks, The Contender runs 126 minutes and is rated R for sexual content and language.
Crossword
1. H.H. Munro
5. Perforation
7. Frightens away
10. Lena or Ken
13. Trebek of
"Jeopardy"
16. Hooded snake
17. Songs of the
peace
19. Plus feature
20. Pliable
23. Alt
24. Church sister
25. Bribe
26. Golfer Ernie
27. Misbegestens
28. Pix about folk
29. Piyon or pekon
30. Pelt
31. Press
33. Ex-Q-Kartention
34. The Velvet Fog
36. Bear's iair
37. Move stealthily
38. Outer edges
41. Kingsley and
Cross
42. Water-storing
plant
43. Spotlight
44. Exploit
45. Identifies oneself to a computer
46. Yearning
47. Lamrep
48. Excess weight
49. Singer Lopez
50. Of the Far East
56. Double-reed woodwinds
58. Penultimate woodwinds
59. Superatively stink-o
61. Edgeless ladder
62. British princess
63. Down-and-dirty
64. Unwanted lip
65. Finest
DOWN
1 Leniest
2 vera
3 Potter's oven
4 Uses a brayer
5 Uses a pulley
© 2000 Tribune Media Services, Inc
All rights reserved.
10/11/00
6 Merlin of "Father Murphy"
7 Floral ring
8 Tumors, once removed
9 Skins on skulls
10 Stockings
11 Birthing branch of medicine
12 Mineral vein
13 Took a chair
14 Tiny
15 Before long
16 Crude shelter
17 Reached the brain?
18 Do course
19 Pick
19 Harassers
19 Huff and Houston
19 Sportscaster Musburger
19 Puts on a pedestal
19 Ensign
19 Nova
19 there, done that
44 Spunky
45 Whip strokes
46 Confronts
48 Take a breath
49 Emirates
53 Prong
54 Wooqsam and
Fleming
55 Newsman
Huntley
66 Possess
constrictor
57 Nature watchdog
orn
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