Election Movie Review 1999

Payne uses a high school student council election to skewer the American political system in general and the election process in particular. Smart comedy has wildly ambitious Tracy (Witherspoon) running for council president unopposed until dedicated but flawed civics teacher Mr. McAllister (Broderick) decides she must be stopped. He recruits likeable but dim jock Paul (Klein) to run against her. Then Paul's lesbian (and anarchic) sister Tammy (Campbell) joins the race. As in Payne's previous effort, "Citizen Ruth," no side of the political spectrum is spared. Everyone's foibles and hypocrisy are shown, to great effect. Witherspoon gives an energized performance, while Broderick is excellent as the respected, conflicted mentor with a touch of Bueller in him.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 105 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

High School, Revenge, Dedicated Teachers, Vote for Me!, Satire & Parody, Ethics & Morals

Screenplay

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Cast

Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik, Molly Hagan, Colleen Camp, Frankie Ingrassia, Matt Malloy, Holmes Osborne, Phil Reeves, Delaney Driscoll, Jeanine Jackson

Cinematography

James Glennon

Director

Alexander Payne

Music

Rolfe Kent

Producer

Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, David Gale, Keith Samples, Van Toffler, MTV Films, Paramount Pictures

Awards

Ind. Spirit 2000: Director (Payne), Film, Screenplay; N.Y. Film Critics 1999: Screenplay; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1999: Actress (Witherspoon); Writers Guild 1999: Adapt. Screenplay.