Virginia Governor Jack Hathaway (William Petersen) is fishing under a highway when a car crashes into the water. He jumps in but fails to rescue the driver. He is nevertheless heralded as a hero and becomes a leading candidate to replace the recently deceased VP of the second-term Democratic U.S. President Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges). Evans instead chooses Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen). She faces opposition led by Republican Congressman Shelley Runyon (Gary Oldman) who prefers Hathaway. An old college incident threatens to derail her nomination.
It is sharply written. It is definitely left-leaning. The politics is also a certain era when there is more political intrigue between the parties. The characters are well-drawn and portrayed by great actors. There is no weak performance. It's a little too broadly written at times like the evil Runyon character. Hanson is too principled about the college incident which makes her too flawless. This is a good political thriller.
It is sharply written. It is definitely left-leaning. The politics is also a certain era when there is more political intrigue between the parties. The characters are well-drawn and portrayed by great actors. There is no weak performance. It's a little too broadly written at times like the evil Runyon character. Hanson is too principled about the college incident which makes her too flawless. This is a good political thriller.