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Election (1999)
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Reviews Counted:85
Fresh:79
Rotten:6
Average Rating:7.7/10
Consensus: Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Director Alexander (Citizen Ruth) Payne's second film, based on the novel by Jim Perotta, takes the scandal and mudslinging associated with presidential elections and transposes them to a high... Director Alexander (Citizen Ruth) Payne's second film, based on the novel by Jim Perotta, takes the scandal and mudslinging associated with presidential elections and transposes them to a high school election for student council president in Nebraska- with impossibly sharp, satirical results. Matthew Broderick, in a reversal of Ferris Bueller, plays Jim McAllister, a teacher who will stop at nothing to prevent perfect Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), who is running unopposed, from winning the election. Jim, who bears a personal grudge against Tracy, goads a popular but dim football player into running against her. This spurs on a series strange events, (both madcap and surprisingly sexual) which add up to an uncommonly funny high school film for grown ups. Performances are great all-around and Payne uses shifting-narration and a series of freeze frames which give the film a rich and layered feel. [More]
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik, Phil Reeves
Director: Alexander Payne
Director: Alexander Payne
Screenwriter: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Producer: Albert Berger, David Gale, Keith Samples, Ron Yerxa, Rolfe Kent
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Release:
Jan 2, 2009
Reviews for Election
Of all the teen films flooding the multiplexes these days, this is the one worth the wait in line.
A high school comedy with an unusual perspective and much to offer people who like to think while they laugh.
One of the funniest comedies in years, and the best teen flick in nearly a decade!
Blends deft human observation, solidly realized characters and a few slightly domesticated moments of shock humor [to create] a comedy as rich and winning as it is offbeat.
A sordid and savory dark comedy. Broderick is the flipside of his Ferris Beuller persona. Reese Witherspoon captures so perky you could strangle her to perfection.
Election is director Alexander Payne's (Citizen Ruth) cynical satire of the American schools and the electoral process.
The satire of the season, a hilarious, razor-sharp indictment of the American Dream!
Those who watch this film now are going to experience it as a more powerful socio-political commentary than the audiences in 1999.
So precise, so hilarious, so biting, so smart, so perfect, in every one of its minute details that it comes as a sort of godsend.
Latest News for Election
August 23, 2006:
More Comedians Invited to "Chuck & Larry's" Wedding
If your movie already has Adam Sandler marrying Kevin James, and a side order of Jessica Biel for desert, what more do you need to make a comedy? Oh yeah: Steve Buscemi and Dan... More...
July 15, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Pretty Persuasion
One of Sundance's more buzzed-about films was the dark high school comedy "Pretty Persuasion," and now you can check out the trailer over at Quicktime's Trailer Site.... More...
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
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| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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