Took the sleaze of the teen comedy and spun it into something that's both hugely entertaining and extremely insightful.
Election (1999)
Tomatometer
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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
A funny and horrifying allegory of American politics and adult society, as seen through the prism--or shall we say "prison"?--that is secondary education. [Blu-ray]
Maybe its only real fault is that it's a little too close to the truth to be as funny as it could be.
Those who watch this film now are going to experience it as a more powerful socio-political commentary than the audiences in 1999.
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.
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...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 66% 66% | The Merry Gentleman |
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