RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Election
Election

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Election (1999)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
93 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

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

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 9

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
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
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Election

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    41 - 60 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
    01/01/01
    Robert Roten
    Robert Roten
    Laramie Movie Scope

    Click to read the article

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

    Click to read the article

    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

    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
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bob Thompson
    Bob Thompson
    Jam! Movies

    Click to read the article

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

    This is one Election that could have used fixing.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christine James
    Christine James
    Boxoffice Magazine

    The story rarely elicits laughter.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Brandon
    Christopher Brandon
    TNT's Rough Cut

    Click to read the article

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

    Exposes the dullards who praise it as the very suckers who promote the divisions among people under the pretense of virtuous, moral insight.

    Full Review Source: Matinee Magazine | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Chuck Rudolph
    Chuck Rudolph
    Matinee Magazine
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Cynthia Fuchs
    Cynthia Fuchs
    Philadelphia City Paper

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    David N. Butterworth
    David N. Butterworth
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    The film never finds a confident tone.

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment 1 Comment
    01/01/00
    Dennis Lim
    Dennis Lim
    Village Voice
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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

    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
     
     
    41 - 60 (sorted by date)
    Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
    all

    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...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    14% 14% The Ugly Truth
    98% 98% Up
    36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
    52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
    45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    36% 36% Angels & Demons
    68% 68% Funny People
    25% 25% Four Christmases
    45% 45% Shorts

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Total Recall

    Total Recall

    John Travolta's top reviewed movies

    Disney Countdown

    Disney Countdown

    Look back on Disney's best animated movies!

    RT's Gift Guide

    RT's Gift Guide

    Give the best movies, gear, and more!

    What's Coming Out

    What's Coming Out

    Find movies for the holiday weekend!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Weekly Ketchup: Zombieland 2 in 3D?
    54
    • First Look (Sort Of) at New Nightmare's Freddy Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com
    24
    • First Look at Shrek Forever After Source: USA Today
    48
    • Woody Harrelson Will Battle Zombies in 3-D Source: Moviehole
    26
    • Natalie Portman Says Kat Denning Is in Thor Source: MTV
    34
    • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
    10
    • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
    1
    • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
    128
    • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
    112
    • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
    32
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
    182
    • Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies
    92
    • Ban Them All! 10 Infamously Controversial Movies
    82
    • Friday Harvest: The Road, Avatar, and more!
    81
    • 5 Facts About The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
    70
    • Critics Consensus: Flee From Ninja Assassin
    45
    • WB offers DVD to Blu-ray Trade-In Program
    33
    • RT's Blu-ray Picks from WB
    22
    • Five Favorite Films With Zombieland Director Ruben Fleischer
    22
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Angels & Demons, Funny People, and Superman
    19
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    16
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    11
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    21
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    21
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    8
    • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
    28
    • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
    28
    • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
    14
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • Election at Rotten Tomatoes
    • Election at IGN

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Wes Anderson on Fox
    Wes Anderson on Fox External Link

    The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Animated Oscar?
    Animated Oscar? External Link

    Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

    TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
    TIME's Holiday Movie Preview External Link

    Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

    Scenic Routes
    Scenic Routes External Link

    The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo

    IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


    By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
    IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.