Election --- political satire at its best

© Paramount Pictures

Title:
Election (A)
Release Year:
1999
Actors:
Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Mark Harelik
Director:
Alexander Payne
Based on the Novel by:
Tom Perrotta
Screenplay:
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Editor / Music:
Kevin Tent / Rofle Kent
Design / Photography:
Jame Ann Stewart / James Glennon
Producer:
Albert Berger et al.
Studio:
Paramount Pictures and MTV Films


© Paramount Pictures

“You can’t interfere with destiny, that’s why it’s called destiny”

As a matter of fact, that fact matters. And if only Mr. McAllister did take this thought into consideration, he may have had the same pathetic life he had before.

This movie was released several years ago. Reese was not yet an A-list star but was a few years away from her Legally Blonde fame. In this movie she plays a character bizarrely different and somehow the same from Elle Woods. She plays Tracy Flick, the epitome of a high school overachiever. Smart, determined and nerdy but without those big glasses and messed-up hair. She’s been part of every student government project and considerably ubiquitous. In her senior year, as envisaged by everyone, she runs for presidency of the student council---- unopposed. Who would wanna fight a woman who treats this election like the Apprentice???


© Paramount Pictures

Mr. McAllister (Broderick), because of his combined irritation, anger, envy and disgust for Tracy, found the guy who would go head-to-head with her. Paul (Klein) is not much of your average jock because besides playing football and screwing around, he’s extremely nice and caring for his sister. He is the most popular guy in school and his injured legs and inability to play no more makes him more beloved by all, not withholding the fact of course, that he is stupid.

But the competition doesn’t end there as Paul’s dyke sister, Tammy, all of a sudden decided to run for president. Not because she’s interested in politics, besides Rosi O Donnell’s cause, but simply because she wants to get back to his brother and her former girlfriend who’s now his brother’s bitch, Lisa. All these characters were all wonderfully portrayed by the actors and brilliantly depicted by Payne on screen.


© Paramount Pictures

Sideways was a great movie. But Election is much better than Sideways. I never thought High School could be depicted with so much wit and artistry besides the usual cheerleader stuff. Although there was still stereotyping, it didn’t seem too overly done or wearing to see. Taylor and Payne’s team-up is a certified knockout all the time and despite a few glitches in direction overall he was very effective, he was able to mix the suspense with the comedy which is not that easy to do but he did effectively.

The writing is one of the best I came across with. It was such a brilliant script. Despite the oddity of the characters they all seemed so real. You may not relate to them or know someone exactly like them, but you’ll believe they exist. I only found one flaw in the script with regards to Paul’s sister but it’s hardly noticeable except I noticed it.

Everyone in the cast gave stellar performances. Something I never thought I would ever say but there I’ve said it. Even Chris Klein gave a convincing performance. I never considered him as an actor but after this movie, he may have a shot. Broderick is the perfect man for the role, that susceptible look he has is terribly hard to find. Witherspoon never fails to amaze me except for Legally Blonde 2 which is not exactly her fault but more of the writer’s.


© Paramount Pictures

This is one of the best comedies I’ve seen. The best Teen comedy ever! And Payne’s finest movie to date (out of the two of his movies i've seem). This movie will make you laugh, make you sad and make you think. I thought it’s kinda predictable heading towards the end but wait till you see the end of that whole travesty. This movie gets my vote and I believe yours as well.

And like any other dumbass who saw this movie, I’m still wondering what’s the difference between moral and ethics. You bet!!!

Grading Sheet:
Story – 18%
Screenplay – 19%
Direction / Execution – 18%
Acting – 20%
Technical Aspect – 17%
Total: 92% = A