Series 7: The Contenders Movie Review 2001

Reality TV takes to the big screen in this morbid but insightful portrayal of a fictional show called "The Contenders" in which the participants hunt each other down to their ultimate, televised, demise. Pic is presented in the form of a marathon of the show, which stars eight-months pregnant Dawn (Smith), the champ who takes on five new challengers, including an 18-year-old girl (Wever), a cancer victim and artist who was also, coincidentally, Dawn's first boyfriend (Fitzgerald). Revealing portrayals make all the contestants sympathetic, but Dawn and Jeff's unique plight is the most interesting. A scene where Dawn casually guns people down in a convenience store while bystanders look on is a highlight in this interesting social satire.

Distribution

USA Home Entertainment, 1 W. Forest, Englewood, NJ 07631-4004, Phone: (201)871-1000, URL: http://www.polygram-us.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 86 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Satire & Parody, Look Ma! I'm on TV!, Homicide, Pregnant Pauses, Doctors & Nurses

Screenplay

Daniel Minahan

Cast

Brooke Smith, Glenn Fitzgerald, Merritt Wever, Michael Kaycheck, Richard Venture, Donna Hanover, Marylouise Burke, Nada Despotovich, Danton Stone, Jennifer Van Dyck, Angelina Phillips, Tanny McDonald

Cinematography

Randy Drummond

Director

Daniel Minahan

Music

Girls Against Boys

Other

Will Arnett, Mark Maloof, Eddie O'Conner, Giles Kahn, Jason Blackburn, Julie Panebianco, Malcolm Jamieson, Ann McKinnon, Christine Biselin, Gideon Ponte

Producer

Jason Kliot, Joana Vicente, Christine Vachon, Katie Roumel, Killer Films, Open City Films, Blow Up Pictures, USA Films