Customer Reviews

ELECTION

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

This is by far the funniest movie Hollywood has produced in years, probably the best in my opinion since "Get Shorty."

Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, an over-ambitous student with desires to be elcted to her student council. Tracy Flick is the kind of person I think we've all met before. Driven, ambitious, very bright, but at the same time she really has no discernable personality. The fact that she is driven and involved in everything is what's getting her by. She has very few friends and is, if anything, made fun of routinely.

Matthew Broderick plays her teacher. He's a very regular man, teaching a dull course, leading a fairly boring and repetetive life. When he finds tracy's ambitions threatning he sets out on destroying her.

Election is far more hilarious than most movies because of its extremely bitter nature. Many people will find the story cold and sterile but if you get past that it is a hugely entertaining film.

All the performances are first rate and if you compare it to the other "teen" comedy of the year, "American Pie" it is evident that this is light years ahead. While "American Pie" settles on cheap belly laughs and a feel good ending, "Election" opts for exactly the opposite. In fact this is really a very adult film performed by teenagers.

"Election" is a cynical, bitter, vicious movie that is also the best comedy in years.

Election was not popular in America, and it's mainly because it viciously attacks everything the USA holds dear. This is exectly why this is such a brilliant black comedy, but if you're the type of person who prefers 'comedies' like American Pie then this is definitely not for you. It ridicules everything - the sexual pysche of the wounded male ego, high school hierarchy systems, the teacher-pupil relationship - whilst at the same time satirising American politics. Payne's commentary on the DVD is informative, but it would have been nice to have a feature on the making of it of or an analysis of the intentions of the script from people involved. Hell, a trailer would have been good, but buy the DVD for the film, a classic of American cinema which doesn't need to be in your face to make its point. Well worth your money.

"Election" is one of the most intelligently-written, original and well-acted films to come out in years. The storytelling is never predictable or conventional, yet everything that happens feels honest and correct. The characters are far more fully-developed than those in any recent Hollywood film I can think of. In the beginning, you expect Broderick to be the hero and Witherspoon to be the villain, but the former does some despicable things, and the latter proves to be somewhat sympathetic. Although "Election" is a comedy (and a very funny one at that), it makes more valid and honest observations about human nature than most "serious" films.

At the start of "Election," Jim McAllister tells viewers how well his life is going. He's a dedicated and popular social studies teacher at Carver High School in Omaha, with a loving wife and a best friend on the faculty. By the film's end, Jim has been fired from his job, become a national laughingstock, been divorced by his wife for infidelity, and moved to New York City. Why? It all starts with Tracy Flick.

Tracy, played in career-defining fashion by Reese Witherspoon, is a running for student-government president at Carver. She's an odd mix of youthful naivete; barely suppressed resentment at slights both real and imagined; and a pure Machiavellian drive to succeed. She's also having an affair with Jim's math-teacher best friend Dave, whose extracurricular activities get him fired early in the movie.

Concerned about the effects of Tracy's reckless ambition and bitter over his friend Dave's firing, Jim develops an unhealthy obsession with her (the scene where Tracy appears in Jim's head while he's being intimate with his wife is one of the most consistently funny in movie history). Determined to halt Tracy's rise, Jim decides to recruit popular ex-jock Paul Metzler to oppose her in the election. Paul, brilliantly portrayed by Chris Klein, is everything Tracy isn't: innocent, wide-eyed, naive, and slow-witted, with a penchant for vacant stares and extremely stupid comments. Paul's lesbian sister Tammy also decides to enter the race, bitter over her brother's theft of a girl's affections.

What follows is one of the most brilliantly satirical movies I've had the pleasure of seeing. Although the central event of "Election" may be a high-school election, it might as well be a presidential race. Carver High becomes a microcosm for the world in general, with the election as the backdrop for a sordid tale of lust, betrayal, power, ambition, and resentment. Jim (is there any doubt that this is Matthew Broderick's best role?) may sound idealistic at the start of the movie, but by the end he's gotten dirtier than anyone else. In fact, out of the principal characters in the movie only Paul really comes out clean.

"Election" is, without a doubt, one of the most well-crafted comedies of recent years. Much like "The Simpsons" in its prime, the movie is brilliant in its vulgarity and unpredictability. The main characters are fully realized and realistic, and the actors (Klein especially) can wring laughs out of even the tiniest facial expression. The humor is often off-color, but never in a stupid teen-movie sort of way. "Election" is a reminder of how funny a movie can be when it relies on little things like wit and creativity. I try to be pretty careful with my five-star ratings, but "Election" would get a hundred out of a hundred from me.

Election is a film, but it feels like a parody of a sitcom. It takes a typical SITuation and follows it to its absurd conclusion.

Let me explain. Reese Witherspoon is well, let's just say, Marcia Brady on Ritalin. It's an episode about an election. If Tracy (aka Marcia) doesn't win, gosh, we just don't know what she'll do.

The election is between Tracy, the opportunistic brain, and a dumb, naive, popular, but really sweet jock (not your stereotypical bully type, like, say Jay Mohr in high school or anything). Then there's the third candidate, but I won't give that away.

Will the brain beat the brawn? Hmm.

So that's the surface layer. Definitely Brady Bunch material, right? But add Matthew Broderick as the "protagonist", a teacher who's sleazy, jealous and spiteful. Throw in a killer bee, a jezebel neighbor, and a jilted teenage lesbian. Also add real human emotions, not caricatures, where the viewer at times can't say "he's bad" or "she's good". They're all human. Some are just more inhumane.

The movie explores motivation, winning, the political process, and human tragedy. But boy is it funny! See it, I mean it. It was perhaps my favorite of 1999.

Election is truly one of the most clever and probably the funniest movie to come along in the past couple of years. I've watched it several times, and each time I'm drawn back in, amused, dismayed and, most importantly, laughing out loud at the plot, the details and the whole package.

Reese Witherspoon is a revelation as Tracey Flick, the perfect student running unopposed for student council president. What could have been such a one-dimensional character is given a great deal of depth through her performance. And it is nice to see Matthew Broderick playing a grown-up, albeit a disturbingly immature one. The supporting players are just as amazingly cast, and act their roles superbly. The details, too, of the Nebraska setting, from the meal Broderick shares with his wife, to the trips to the mall, to the basement band... this is one well-crafted movie.

I highly recommend this movie. I've passed this movie amongst friends and family quite liberally and everyone has enjoyed it enthusiastically. Of course, we all love satire, and this is one of the best to come along in a looooong time.

I think everyone knew a Tracy Enid Flick in high school...she was the obsessive/compulsive prat that participated in every stinking activity, her face plastered all over the yearbook (whose production she was probably in charge of), eternally, often shamelessly, promoting herself for the next thing whatever it was, unceasingly sucking up to everyone and anyone in even the slightest position to assist her, all with the specific goal of cramming as much as possible on her transcripts, hoping to show whatever college board she applies to what a well rounded person she is...thing is, these people are so driven by what they perceive to be important they just don't comprehend how irritating they are to those around them, or if they do, they don't care, often believing such animosity is the result of jealously...but then that's just my opinion...I was one of those faceless, nameless bodies that drifted through high school, hoping to avoid attracting too much attention, wanting only to serve my time (much like prison inmates) and get out. Election (1999), written and directed by Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways), stars Matthew Broderick (The Freshman, The Road to Wellville) and cute as a dimple Reese Witherspoon (Pleasantville, American Psycho). Also appearing is Jessica Campbell (Freaks and Geeks) and Hinsdale, Illinois native Chris Klein in his first feature appearance (American Pie, Rollerball).

Broderick stars as James T. 'Jim' McAllister, a frumpy high school civics teacher and advisor to the student body government, seemingly content in his position, taking modest pride in assumption he's helping to mold young minds, preparing them for life after high school. Life is going pretty well for Mr. McAllister, that is until he tries to go against the unstoppable force know as Tracy Enid Flick, an annoying, overachieving student running unopposed for student body president, by coercing dimwitted, but somewhat likeable, side-lined football star Paul Metzler (Klein) to run against her. Mr. McAllister's veiled resentment of Tracy begins with an earlier event, one involving a tawdry liaison between Tracy and a fellow colleague, resulting in his colleague's dismissal and ultimately, divorce. Now he sees Tracy as a real threat, one that only he has the power to do anything about, but his intercession leads to entanglements. As the comical complications compound themselves (Paul's sister, played by Campbell, becomes involved in the election for reasons of her own), Mr. McAllister's life begins to spiral horribly out of control, resulting in the destruction of all he's worked for and holds dear, as destiny, as is Tracy, is something that can't be avoided.

For me, this story is basically about actions and consequences. We witness various actions, like Mr. McAllister's meddling in the school election, result in destructive and life changing consequences, mostly at the hands of Tracy, the obsessively driven student who won't let anything get in her way. Broderick is really wonderful, but it was odd seeing him play his character, as I best remember him from his role in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), and the two characters are nearly opposite. The rest of the cast does very well, especially Phil Reeves, playing Principal Walter Hendricks, presenting the epitome of school administrators in both his mannerisms and dialogue. Witherspoon is outstanding as Tracy, taking the role and infusing it with a real sense of absurdity, while maintaining a foot in reality, showing that her range as an actress is wider than most probably gave her credit for at the time. She provides us with insight as to what exactly drives these uber-motivated individuals, and how far they'll go to get what they rightfully believe is owed to them. I enjoyed the direction of this dark, sometimes disturbing comedy, but some may find it plodding and pointless. Payne's use of cinematic effects, freeze frames and voice-overs were handled in such a way as to enhance the story, and blended in smoothly, rather than providing awkward distractions as they sometimes can in other films. This is also evident in About Schmidt, especially the scenes where Jack Nicholson's character is composing letters to his sponsored African child, Ndugu. Election is a bit more unrestrained than Payne's About Schmidt (2002), more akin to his latest film Sideways (2004) with regards to the level of vulgarity, but in all three movies, the characters presented don't seem to be put forth to be necessarily liked by the audience, but more so as analogous representations of individuals you may very well know, or deal with on a day to day basis. Normally I enjoy films with characters whose positive aspects I can identify with, as I think a lot of people do, but here there's very little of that, as we see the glossy veneer peeled away revealing all kinds of sordid, morally reprehensible nastiness (the scenes where Broderick's character's various indiscretions are exposed were uncomfortable much like that of seeing a couple fight in public...you know you mind your own affairs, tend to your business, but I think there's an instinctual level where we as humans are inescapably drawn to conflict, maybe not desiring to be a part of it, but finding perverse enjoyment at the misfortunes of others. If you are uncomfortable with frank and explicit themes, specifically about sex, and dislike the casual use of vulgarity, then you should probably avoid this intelligent, well written, mildly abrasive, dark comedy.

The wide screen anamorphic picture presented on this DVD looks clear and clean, and the audio, available in Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, comes through very well. Special features are scant, as there's only a so-so commentary track by director Alexander Payne available. I thought it kind of odd not to include a theatrical trailer for the film, but then special features with regards to DVD releases has never been Paramount Studios strong point.

Cookieman108

This movie is a work of genius -- a bitingly sharp look at the madness of high school life and its surprising resemblance to American society. Reese Witherspoon has just played what I think is the most memorable female movie character of 1999 -- almost to perfection (and I watched a LOT of movies last year!). The plot twists, the dialogue scathes, the subliminal carnage will make you mad. This is a very smart movie cloaked in the guise of a trendy teen-hype-MTV facade. It challenges changing perceptions of morality (and ethics!) and never apologizes for its crudeness. The humor, placed in the context of subtle but overwhelming mental and emotional abuse, is powerful, intelligent and can stick like a nasty gum, even in the open mind. All the characters here manipulated people, were victimized, used, loved, hated, provoked, cheated, redeemed -- it's epic simplicity is amazing. Definitely one heck of a ride -- not for the morally-uptight -- you may want to take some stress-relieving pills to stomach this one.

This movie will immediately connect with most teachers and people who were active in their student government. I also love to use this movie in college level ethics classes. (A few of the parts earned this movie a well deserved R rating [sex, language, etc....] But that is the two edged sword of trying to reflect reality.)Is this a moral issue or an ethics issue? What's the difference anyway.... The difference is this movie depicts the great clash that exists between talking about good ethics and actually practicing them.

I love to talk about the motives of the characters in this movie... The symbols shouldn't be overlooked either. For example, in the title section, there is a sprinkler on that never moves... symbolic of Mr. M's rutted life...

The director's commentary is very good also.

'Election' is a rather original film (certainly, I haven't seen anything like it before). Using a high school student council presidential election as a metaphor, it successfully satirises real politics.

Am I completely weird because I actually sympathise with all three of the potential candidates, even (*gasp*) the overachiever Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon)? As one of those kids who waved his hand frantically in the air at school when no-one else knew the answer and got ignored by the teacher, I can identify with her desire to shine and frustration with others (though I obviously can't condone much of her petulant, scheming and positively obsessive behaviour). Likewise, her jock opponent (Paul Metzler) deserves sympathy because he is being manipulated so much and is the straight-man in a collection of schemers - having a conscience the size of Jupiter, I can identify with that as well. Finally, his sister Tammy's rebellious denunciation of the whole electoral process and vow to put an end to it struck a chord as well - I regard student politics as something as a waste of time (teachers really don't have to listen to student bodies, as Tammy says) and a playground for people seeking attention and/or a career in politics.

Well, now that I've shocked and dismayed numerous readers and probably made myself an object of scorn and derision, here's some more stuff about the film. I thought Matthew Broderick's performance as the teacher was excellent (as were those of the three candidates). The character was thoroughly unlikeable, a hypocrite whose extramarital affair with his best friend's ex-wife mirrored the relationship with said best friend that he condemned Tracy for. Likewise with his manipulation of the election.

The film as a whole worked beautifully, the story flowed well and the mixing of perspectives of the various characters was good. I particularly liked the prayers of Tracy, Paul and Tammy the night before the election and the sort of epilogue where we found out what happened to the four main characters (it was interesting that the person who appeared to have won the day possibly came of worst in the end - a message perhaps that success does not equal happiness).

All in all, a very clever film, well deserving of much more attention than it received when released.