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Movies / On DVD / Election
Election

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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

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) is Tracy Flick, a straight "A" go-getter who's determined to be president of Carver High's student body. But when popular teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick, The Producers) observes the zealous political locomotive that is Tracy, he decides to derail her obsessive overachieving by recruiting an opposition candidate (Chris Klein, American Pie) - with disastrous results! Here's a smart, witty and hilarious jab at high school politics helmed by award-winning director Alexander Payne (Sideways).
  • Source - Paramount Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for Election

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    1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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    Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Reel.com

    Of all the teen films flooding the multiplexes these days, this is the one worth the wait in line.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online

    A high school comedy with an unusual perspective and much to offer people who like to think while they laugh.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Arizona Republic

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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat

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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat

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    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Empire Magazine

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    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    03/19/02
    Globe and Mail

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    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    08/25/07
    Boston Globe

    One of the funniest comedies in years, and the best teen flick in nearly a decade!

    Full Review Source: Juicy Cerebellum | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Alex Sandell
    Alex Sandell
    Juicy Cerebellum

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bob Bloom
    Bob Bloom
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    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.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Today | comment Comment
    01/07/03
    Brent Simon
    Brent Simon
    Entertainment Today

    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.

    comment Comment
    03/21/03
    Brian Mckay
    Brian Mckay
    eFilmCritic.com

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    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

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    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    ...a surprisingly compelling piece of work..

    Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
    07/23/06
    David Nusair
    David Nusair
    Reel Film Reviews

    Election is director Alexander Payne's (Citizen Ruth) cynical satire of the American schools and the electoral process.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    The satire of the season, a hilarious, razor-sharp indictment of the American Dream!

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Desson Thomson
    Desson Thomson
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Those who watch this film now are going to experience it as a more powerful socio-political commentary than the audiences in 1999.

    Full Review Source: Draxblog Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    03/16/05
    Dragan Antulov
    Dragan Antulov
    Draxblog Movie Reviews

    Volatile and hilarious!

    Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Duane Dudek
    Duane Dudek
    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

    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.

    Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Dustin Putman
    Dustin Putman
    DustinPutman.com
     
     
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