Election

Cast Your Vote On This One!

Main Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell

Director: Alexander Payne

This is fine satire anyone can enjoy. It’s not about the election in the end, really, it’s about the battle of two personalities.

The plot is simple to relate: Tracey Flick (Witherspoon) wants to be class president, which goes along with all the other awards and merits she’s won through her years at school. She’s the type of person who is relentlessly organized and well nigh impossible to argue with, as she is always right. At least in her mind. But then she runs into Jim McAllister (Broderick), a teacher who grows increasingly sick and tired of her arrogance and wishes to pull her down a peg or two. The movie is narrated by McAllister, in a sort of worn and weary tone that may hold a few clues about the final outcome, although I won’t spoil it for you.

McAllister goads the top jock, Paul Metzler (Klein), into running against Flick, and suddenly she finds obstacles in her way. His sister Tammy (Campbell) also throws her hat into the ring, seemingly only on a whim. What is ironic about the situation is that most, if not all, of the other students really don’t care who wins the election. If not for McAllister’s sudden interference, one gets the sense that she would have won easily. Not that I’m saying she didn’t… am I?

Take solace, this is a funny if cynical take on the whole election process. The acting is superb and the ending is perfect for the tone. I highly recommend this one.