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Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, Jamie Anderson, Alice Krige, Megan Dodds ... see more see more... , Corey Johnson , Jonathan Hyde , Bill Smitrovich , Anthony Warren , Ned Bellamy

Attempting to recover from a recent family trauma by escaping into the woods for a peaceful hiking trip, an ex-lawman and his young son stumble across a dangerous contract killer in director Bruce Ber... read more read more...esford's forest-bound thriller. Ray Keene (John Cusack) has lost his wife, and now the grieving father is looking to reconnect with his young son (Jamie Anderson) with a much-needed hike into the wilderness. But Ray and his son aren't alone in nature, because high profile assassin Frank Cardin (Morgan Freeman) has ventured into nature with the malevolent intentions of fulfilling a contract to kill an extremely powerful businessman. When Frank's hit goes awry and he ends up in the custody of U.S. Marshalls, the situation quickly spins out of control as a small army of loyal mercenaries draw their guns in a violent attempt to free their notorious compatriot. Later stumbling upon the chaotic situation, Ray does his best to protect his son while ensuring that Frank doesn't escape justice. Though Frank's men aren't willing to let their boss go to prison without a fight, Ray vows to do the right thing as help suddenly comes from the most unlikely of places. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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30% liked it

18,290 ratings

Critics

0% liked it

5 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Bruce Beresford

Release Date: October 9, 2006

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DVD Release Date: July 24, 2007

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Stats: 2,164 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,164)

  • SirPant
    November 25, 2011
    SirPant
    The Contract is completely uninteresting. It's riddled with cliches to the point where it looks like a mash up of loads of different films, not particularly good films either. Not sure how it ever got the green light really, another case of 'Big names don't necessarily make a gre... read moreat film' - with bells on! Lazy, pointless but above all boring. Even the actors look bored!
  • 76Majikat
    August 28, 2011
    76Majikat
    My predicted rating: 3

    Entertaining and easy watching, but it is just a story with nothing special to pull out of the bag. Worth watching if it comes on tv, but missable if you don't.
  • ironclad1609
    July 26, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Probably one of the less interesting films of such great names like Freeman or Cusack. The setting isn't even half-bad, but very constructed. The delivery is mediocre at best. Considering this is a thriller, very few exciting things happen. It all stays very predictable and leave... read mores the audience somewhat indifferent. The solution is somewhat random, too. Not boring by any means but entirely fails to enthrall or engage the audience. Which is quite a pity considering what the two male leads could be capable of.
  • vierasesine
    March 2, 2011
    vierasesine
    Oh Johnny, stop making these mediocre films.
  • LWOODS04
    February 28, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, Jamie Anderson, Alice Krige, Megan Dodds, Corey Johnson, William Tapley, Johnathan Hyde, Bill Smitrovich

    DIRECTED BY: Bruce Beresford

    While on a hiking trip to reconnect with his son after the death of his wife, Ray Keene (John Cusack) stumbles ... read moreinto a nightmare scenario of paid assassins and ex-military guns-for-hire. Frank Cardin (Morgan Freeman) is attempting to fulfill a contract to assassinate a high profile businessman when things go awry and he ends up in the custody of the U.S. Marshalls. After an ill-fated attempt by his compatriots to free him Frank finds himself in the custody of ex-lawman Ray and his son (Jamie Anderson). As the trio tries to make their way back to civilization they are relentlessly pursued by Frank's friends who are intent on freeing their leader in order to collect on the contract. But one pursuer may be more foe than friend.

    This movie was OK. Was a bit slow and didn't really have a lot of action in it. Could have done with some more. But the acting was good by Cusack, Freeman, and Anderson. Good enough story. The slow pace and the lack of action is the only problem with this movie. Besides that, it was a entertaining enough for a lazy Sunday night.
  • binky013
    October 9, 2008
    binky013
    Morgan Freeman and John Cusack. Two of my favorites. A dream match-up, right? Well, yes and no. Can't say I could recommend this one, even for one viewing, The plot's thinner than the curry at Paradise Palms, despite a decent premise. Just because we all begin with curry po... read morewder does not necessarily mean we will all be heralded as heroes of curry cuisine by all of our curry-loving acquaintances once our various concoctions are plated up and served. I do especially like the idea of Freeman as a professional killer; however, he's definitely needing a stronger story to give him more to work with.

    Gentlemen, I give you both mulligans. One more time, gentlemen. Please.
  • fb619846742
    August 4, 2008
    fb619846742
    One of the dumber movies I've seen in a while. Two A-listers in Cusack and Freeman are completely wasted, with a script that has some of the worst dialogue I've ever heard, as well as a plot that is so formulaic and full of dumb cliches and unconvincing characters, I don't know w... read morehy it was even made.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    July 22, 2008
    FiLmCrAzY
    i liked it relli good its different to some films the con has already been arrested and its just reli good worth a watch!
  • allan913
    February 13, 2008
    allan913
    A riveting and pulse-pounding cat and mouse action-thriller. Stunningly exciting and explosively entertaining. Smart, sharp and fantastic. Packed with intelligent action and white-knuckle tension. A heart-racing film righ till the end. Morgan Freeman and John Cusack are teriffic.... read more A great standoff between two captivating and dynamic talents. Freeman creates a slick, likeable, charasmatic and unpredictable villian. Cusack is calm, collective and satisfying. Character driven, intelligent and complex. Top notch excitment that never lets up for an instant. Wickedly cool and brilliant. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Gripping and relentlessly memerising. This is an awsome movie.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 5, 2007
    bbcfloridabound
    Two of My Favorite Male Actors are in this one. John Cusack and Morgan Freeman. Seems liek any movie Morgan is in is Gold these days, Slowly creeping up on Sean Connery. Excellevt theme great shots, watching how they made the movie is as good as the film. Just shy of 5

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Critic Reviews

Urban Cinefile Critics
September 7, 2007
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

Having read about the extensive problems in financing, scripting and casting of director Bruce Beresford's diaries, I was keen to see the result. Could any film overcome all those problems, including ... Full Review

David Cornelius
July 24, 2007
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com

Little more than a clumsy pile-up of hackneyed themes, one-dimensional characters, and mediocre tension. Full Review

David Nusair
July 23, 2007
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...sporadically intriguing yet thoroughly mediocre... Full Review

Christopher Null
July 23, 2007
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Even Cusack fans will find his charms in short supply here. Full Review

August 8, 2007
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Mike Barnard
October 9, 2006
Mike Barnard, Future Movies UK

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Contract Trivia

  • What song does Ursula sing in the little mermaid while convincing Ariel to sign the contract?  Answer »
  • Hayao Miyazaki's anime, My Neighbor Totoro, couldn't have been made if it did not include what other anime movie attached to the contract?  Answer »
  • what was the name of the contract killer in the movie Collateral?  Answer »
  • IN THE MOVIE GHOST RIDER WHAT DOES JOHNNY SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH?  Answer »
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