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Election (1999)
Released By: Paramount Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Paramount Home Video
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Alexander Payne
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Campbell, Chris Klein, Mike Harelik, Phil Reeves
Published ID: 8469
UPC: 097363340348, 097361401942, 097363340324,
Plot: In this satirical comedy, a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a popular and well-respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha, Nebraska, but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and professional life, and his anxieties finally come to a head with the school's student elections. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is running for student body president, and she certainly seems like the sort of girl who would win a high school election -- she's pretty, popular and takes part in all the right extra-curricular activities. In fact, she seems so perfect she's running unopposed, which offends McAllister's sense of democracy (not to mention the fact he doesn't like her very much). So Jim intervenes and persuades Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy. Paul is not terribly bright and is entirely unqualified to be student president, but as a star of the school's football team (before a leg injury sidelined him), he's popular enough to at least give Tracy a run for her money. Just as the race begins to heat up, a spanner is truly thrown into the works when Paul's sister, Tammy (Jessica Campbell) announces she's also running for office. Publicly, Tammy's platform is that the student elections are ultimately pointless and if she's elected, she'll eliminate them altogether. Privately, Tammy is out for revenge against her brother; it seems Tammy is experimenting with her sexuality, and a recent fling with a bisexual classmate named Lisa (Frankie Ingrassia) ended when Lisa dumped her to start going out with Paul. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, Election was directed by Alexander Payne, who won enthusiastic reviews for his debut feature, Citizen Ruth; Payne also co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Election
Added 1/17/2010

Aside from the fact the I love this movie, the product itself was in perfect condition. It was exactly the type of quality that I would expect from any store. The movie was still in its plastic wrap. It did take longer than expected to receive in the mail, but overall, I am very happy with my purchase. Thanks so much!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
We've Got (Too) High Hopes
Added 1/1/2010

This film suffers from a plot problem--as in it has little.

The interesting parts were the pettiness of the student body election. And I found the tearing of rival posters 'cute' in a twisted way.

But then we have some totally unecessary side plot about a teacher having an affair with underage students and getting caught with it. Ummm..what does this have to do with students running for school president? It and the teacher's lives uneccessarily detract from the screenplay.

I think it would have been more interesting if the script had just focused on Tracy, even going back to see what campaigns she previously had been in--and their outcome. Why is this contest so important to her?

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
This captures the pettiness of high school
Added 11/8/2009

More than most movies I've seen, Election really captures the stupidity and pettiness of high school life. While it isn't the funniest film, it has a lot of relevant irony, from the over-ambitious resume-builder to the outcast dropout. The movie focuses on the election for student council president, and each of the three candidates represents a stereotype of each of the main types of high students: the dork, the jock, and the druggie.

The movie had funny moments (mostly with Reese Witherspoon and Chris Klein), but overall wasn't hilarious. Some of the plot elements, like Broderick's affair, seem forced. Frankly, the movie is funnier because of the parody of high school than any explicit jokes.

Also, a note for parents: this movie isn't a family movie. It's not like Legally Blonde. Several scenes include depictions of sex and vulgar language.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
my kid beat up your honor student....
Added 8/22/2009

this one works overwhelmingly due to the two leads...matthew broderick, as mr. mcallister, a teacher who had devoted his life to his job and is sickened by tracy flick, played by reese witherspoon...tracy flick is the kind of student teachers are reluctant to call on, because they always seem to have the answers...tracy is the kind of person you hate, because she is an overachiving goody-goody, who think things should go her way, just because she thinks so...so when tracy runs for student body president, mr. mcallister gets the football hero, paul betzler to run against her to stop her....

i loved this because alexander payne shows off omaha, just like he did in " about schmidt" payne shows the viewer that even normal life can hold some surprises...its ordinariness is what makes this film special...you want so much for tracy flick to lose, just so it would be one less accomplishment she would place on her resume.... while paul is as dumb as a bag of rocks...he is a good guy and far more likeable than tracy....anyone who has ever ran for a student council office or has ever been to high school can relate to this film...as for the ending...all i have to say is...life isn't fair or unfair, life is just life....

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
More dark than funny
Added 7/23/2009

This one more than flirts with the teacher/student sex equation, teen lesbianism and adultery, and the result is way better than you'd expect, maybe because little is left to innuendo through the clever use of fantasy sequences. Quite a bit dirtier than you'd think, given the cast and premise, the sophistication level is pretty high for a Matthew Broderick vehicle. This one is a keeper.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Election
Added 1/17/2010

Aside from the fact the I love this movie, the product itself was in perfect condition. It was exactly the type of quality that I would expect from any store. The movie was still in its plastic wrap. It did take longer than expected to receive in the mail, but overall, I am very happy with my purchase. Thanks so much!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
We've Got (Too) High Hopes
Added 1/1/2010

This film suffers from a plot problem--as in it has little.

The interesting parts were the pettiness of the student body election. And I found the tearing of rival posters 'cute' in a twisted way.

But then we have some totally unecessary side plot about a teacher having an affair with underage students and getting caught with it. Ummm..what does this have to do with students running for school president? It and the teacher's lives uneccessarily detract from the screenplay.

I think it would have been more interesting if the script had just focused on Tracy, even going back to see what campaigns she previously had been in--and their outcome. Why is this contest so important to her?

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
This captures the pettiness of high school
Added 11/8/2009

More than most movies I've seen, Election really captures the stupidity and pettiness of high school life. While it isn't the funniest film, it has a lot of relevant irony, from the over-ambitious resume-builder to the outcast dropout. The movie focuses on the election for student council president, and each of the three candidates represents a stereotype of each of the main types of high students: the dork, the jock, and the druggie.

The movie had funny moments (mostly with Reese Witherspoon and Chris Klein), but overall wasn't hilarious. Some of the plot elements, like Broderick's affair, seem forced. Frankly, the movie is funnier because of the parody of high school than any explicit jokes.

Also, a note for parents: this movie isn't a family movie. It's not like Legally Blonde. Several scenes include depictions of sex and vulgar language.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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