The Contender

I’m traveling tonight, and just checked into the hotel. The Contender is on HBO, and I’d forgotten just how good it is. Performances are just remarkable – Gary Oldman as the hawkish conservative out for blood, Sam Elliot as the abrasive chief of staff, Christian Slater as the naive first-term congressman. But it’s the leads – Jeff Bridges as POTUS and Joan Allen as the vice presidential nominee with a past – who make the film riveting. Bridges oozes power without being over the top – being well-fed never seemed so alpha.

Politics aside, I really just miss having a president who can orate. Is that so much to ask?