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The American Vice-President had died a 3 weeks and the country was expecting a new Vice-President. There were a few contenders for this position, but the most eligible 2 were Senator Laine Hansen (Joan Allen) and Governor Jack Hathaway (William Petersen). Hathaway was just considered a hero for trying to save a woman who was trapped in her car while the car fell from a bridge into a river. She died, but Hathaway's approval rating became sky high. Despite this, President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) chose Hansen. Hansen had to pass the confirmation hearings which was hosted by Shelly Runyon (Gary Oldman). Runyon did not like Hansen and tried everything to try to make her step down, from attacking her for having to fulfill her womanly duties to she having a sex "show" when she was in college. Hansen insisted all Runyon's tricks were attacking her personal life and refused to fight back on the subject, even though it that might mean she would lose the Vice-president job. She had her reason though. And, Hathaway might not be a hero as everybody thinks he was…

Joan Allen (Hansen) is a nominee of this year's Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her performance in the film clearly explains why she got the nomination. However, I think she lacks a little bit of charm of a successful politician. She does not have the charm of Madeline Albright or Janet Reno. Perhaps she is too charming in another sense. Jeff Bridges (Evans) also got nominated for Oscar (Best Actor in a Supporting Role), but surely Allen outshone Bridges by a whole lot.

The film portrays the dark side of America's political arena, and people's prejudice towards the ability and responsibilities of women in the modern society. Some politicians are like Runyon who would anything to bring another person down just because he thinks the persons is not capable (Hansen being a woman, in this case), which could be based entirely on subjectivity. On the other hand, although quite rare, some are like Hathaway who would even kill in order to climb to the top. Luckily, some are like Hansen and Reginald Webster (Christian Slater) who believe in themselves and would sacrifice themselves for the interest of the community. I don't know if anyone who, like Hansen, who would even give up the position as the American Vice-President just because she believes that personal lives (especially for women's) should not be used to judge the ability or the appropriateness to serve as the leader. Nevertheless, her act is noble. Contrast the whole case with Clinton's!

Women can easily be attacked in similar cases just because of being female. Maternity leave a problem? Adultery a problem? Not a problem for men to contend for the position, but a big no for women. Sorry, girls, people still thinks in the old way, men and women alike.

Knowing the American political system would help one to enjoy the film. If you don't know all President's Secretaries have to pass the background checks (criminal records, conflict of interest, etc.) and what the American people expect in terms of the character of their leaders, you may find the film too long and boring. If you do, you would be able to fully appreciate the story.

註：本評論純屬影評作者個人意見，並不代表本網立場。
Note: This views presented in this review is solely the views of the critic who wrote it and do not represent the stance of our website.

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