Written and Directed by Rod Lurie
Cinematography by Denis Maloney

Gary Oldman as Shelly Runyon Joan Allen as Laine Hanson Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans Christian Slater as Reginald Webster Sam Elliott as Kermit Newman William L. Petersen as Jack Hathaway Saul Rubinek as Jerry Tolliver Philip Baker Hall as Oscar Billings Mike Binder as Lewis Hollis Robin Thomas as William Hanson Mariel Hemingway as Cynthia Lee Kathryn Morris as Paige Willomina

Running Time: 126 min.
Release Date: Oct. '00

Overall Call:
This is one for the books. A solid stoically paced drama dealing with the ethics of todays current political machine and the scrutiny those attempting to get involved face. Joan Allen plays a senator in line for replacing the recently deceased VP, but wait a minute there is something from her past that has been uncovered. The bulk of the film deals with each side of the coin and if she is really qualified for the position. The acting is a tour de force. Joan Allen and Gary Oldman are both superb. Adding to the list Jeff Bridges puts in the performance of his career as the President. I've never seen so much eating while acting in my life and done in such an engaging manner (Oldman and Bridges in particular). The sparse humor was delivered at all the right times. I found this to be one of the stronger films of the year and am happy to see Jeff Bridges receive an Oscar nod for his role. This was good in the theater and will be a great rental for those into political dramas.

Reasons For Recommendation:
+ Outstanding acting
+ Engaging political drama