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From Amazon.co.uk
Matthew Broderick makes up for years of wet-noodle performances with his low-key but unsparing characterisation of Jim McAllister, a high-school teacher at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Driven by a strange mixture of loathing and lust for pathologically overachieving student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), McAllister encourages a dim but popular athlete, Paul (Chris Klein from American Pie), to run against her in the election for student-council president. Director/co-writer Alexander Payne (Citizen Ruth) turns this deceptively simple premise into a complex and scathing comedy of ambition, corruption and desire, all at its most naked and petty. Every scene contains some painfully funny nuance that will make you wince in a mixture of astonishment and empathy. Witherspoon flips effortlessly back and forth from adolescent vulnerability to steely-eyed strength; she is becoming a contemporary Carole Lombard. The movie itself feels like a magnificent throwback to the richly layered comedies of the 1930s, which drew their humour from sharply drawn characters and twisting plots instead of explosions of bodily fluids. With a wealth of smart, cutting details, Election rewards multiple viewing. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Merciless social satire starring Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, a Straight A pupil who is determined to become student president of Carver High School. Her teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) feels that democracy would best be served if she faced some opposition, and convinces popular but dumb sporting hero Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against her. However, thanks to this intervention, and to Tracy's boundless ambition, the election soon turns into a high school nightmare. The script, adapted from Tom Perrotta's novel, was nominated for an Oscar.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Hood
Format:DVD
how this film is so unheard of is beyond me. this is icredible outstanding and original film making, but i guess thats what you expect fom director Alexander Payne (sideways). im no fan of Matthew Broderick, but he does give a perfectly fitting and believable performance. Reese Witherspoon is incredibly entertaining and the supporting cast is perfectly picked and the film is wisely scripted. its gentle comedy is absolutely perfect, its drama supprisingly engaging and script solid as can be. this easily ranks along side sideways, little miss sunshine and the under rated trans america. one of the independent highlights of the decade.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By shpadoinkle
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This is one of those films that doesn't really have any real 'good guys', or anyone to really root for. They are all very flawed characters - with only rare moments of likability. But strangely enough, I really didn't mind this, as the characters are still extremely watchable, and you NEED to know what happens to them, whether it's good or bad. It's so well-written - I ended up putting subtitles on to catch every word.
However, this is a satire - it's not a comedy. It's very clever and witty, but it's also dark and dry. This isn't a criticism - it was great - but it's not for belly-laughing. You need to settle down to watch it - you're not going to be particularly uplifted.
But Reese Witherspoon is fantastic, and it's one of the best high school films there is. It's definately worth watching.
However, this is a satire - it's not a comedy. It's very clever and witty, but it's also dark and dry. This isn't a criticism - it was great - but it's not for belly-laughing. You need to settle down to watch it - you're not going to be particularly uplifted.
But Reese Witherspoon is fantastic, and it's one of the best high school films there is. It's definately worth watching.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By dan the fan
Format:DVD
This was an entertaining film to watch throughout its length but was neither very funny or very happy or sad.It was more a clever film that contrasted the best and worst behaviour of teachers and pupils in an american high school and held the viewer's attention because you wanted to know what would happen next.I wouldn't watch it a second time though because once you know what happens it spoils the viewing experience.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By William Cohen
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic film. So dark, ambiguous and funny. It touches on many sensitive issues. Is it good to be a super ambitious kid, sexuality, the dilemmas that teachers face, whether it is good to achieve or not to achieve, marriage and the machinations of institutions.
Jim McAllister, the teacher, is a great character who engages your sympathy, despite his flaws. This film makes you think hard about how to be in life, and makes you laugh when it still doesn't work out.
Jim McAllister, the teacher, is a great character who engages your sympathy, despite his flaws. This film makes you think hard about how to be in life, and makes you laugh when it still doesn't work out.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
It is always satisfying to discover something great, and then realise nobody else has heard of it. Without the usual hype, word of mouth, and spoilers; you can take a movie for what it is. In the case of Election, it is a superb,hilarious, biting and dark comedy that deserves a wider audience.
Everything is good about the film. The plot (which goes where other high school films dare not go e.g. She's all that, 10 things...etc)is excellent. The acting (especially a marvellous Matthew Broderick) is spot on, while the whole style of the movie is designed to avoid any boredom.
If you've never heard of it, remedy that immediately by tracking it down. You are missing out on an overlooked gem.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This wonderful comedy is set in a Nebraska high school during the student body elections. Over-achiever and seemingly perfect student Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) is running unopposed for the office of president. The student advisor is straight-arrow teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) who's having a lot of trouble at home. He doesn't like the way Tracy always wins everything she goes after, so he decides to put up an unlikely candidate to run against her. During the campaign we learn that Tracy is not above damaging her opponent's chances. And Jim also proves less than honorable, both at home and in the school election.
Witherspoon and Broderick are absolutely charismatic here and I couldn't wait to see what they would do next. She's beautiful, calculating, and just the kind of little-miss-perfect you knew in high school. He's very watchable as a good teacher and a flawed man who maybe is a bit jealous of his student's long list of accomplishments. The movie is sly and always funny, thanks to an insightful script and the charm of the two stars. Relive those high school days with "Election," a spot-on, behind-the-scenes look at teenage politics and popularity.
Kona
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By "tomkatz4"
Format:VHS Tape
Election is a funny little film, but not so funny that you watch it and think 'what on earth was that?' I'm not Albert Einstein and I managed to understand it. And teens, don't let the phrase 'dark comedy' put you off. It's got as many laugh out loud moments in it as Friends, or the Simpsons, or Clueless.
So, what is the film about? Well, Tracy Flick (current queen of Hollywood Reese Witherspoon - Legally Blonde) is a straight-A student who, we are told, has had to work hard every day of her life. She is running for President of the Student Body - unopposed. But, she had an affair with a teacher, who got fired and who's marriage collapsed. This teacher was best friends with other teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick - Godzilla), who is popular with the students. Determined not to let Tracy run un-opposed, he sets up an opponent. Cue Paul Metzler (Chris Klein - American Pie 2). A bit of a jock, and captain of the football team, Paul has popularity, whereas Tracy has brains. Then we get to Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell). She explains "I'm not a lesbian, I'm attracted to the person. It's just that everyone I've ever been attracted to happens to be a woman". Tammy's 'girlfriend' Lisa goes off with Paul, so Tammy runs for president to get her revenge.
Then things get a little complicated, people do certain things, which result in the disqualification of a candidate, votes going missing, the realisation of a dream, and the ultimate destruction of one of the character's lives. But don't worry. It winds up sort of OK in the end.
The cast are a joy, especially Witherspoon and Campbell, in her first movie role. A little quirky in places, this film is nothing short of memorable, and deservedly won all the rave reviews which it received.... Read more ›
So, what is the film about? Well, Tracy Flick (current queen of Hollywood Reese Witherspoon - Legally Blonde) is a straight-A student who, we are told, has had to work hard every day of her life. She is running for President of the Student Body - unopposed. But, she had an affair with a teacher, who got fired and who's marriage collapsed. This teacher was best friends with other teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick - Godzilla), who is popular with the students. Determined not to let Tracy run un-opposed, he sets up an opponent. Cue Paul Metzler (Chris Klein - American Pie 2). A bit of a jock, and captain of the football team, Paul has popularity, whereas Tracy has brains. Then we get to Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell). She explains "I'm not a lesbian, I'm attracted to the person. It's just that everyone I've ever been attracted to happens to be a woman". Tammy's 'girlfriend' Lisa goes off with Paul, so Tammy runs for president to get her revenge.
Then things get a little complicated, people do certain things, which result in the disqualification of a candidate, votes going missing, the realisation of a dream, and the ultimate destruction of one of the character's lives. But don't worry. It winds up sort of OK in the end.
The cast are a joy, especially Witherspoon and Campbell, in her first movie role. A little quirky in places, this film is nothing short of memorable, and deservedly won all the rave reviews which it received.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
What's The Difference Between Ethics And Morals?!
Very much enjoyed it, (even though I've seen it a few times before). RW and MB are the two stand out actors. The chap from American Pie is good to some extent at what he does. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Richie77777
5.0 out of 5 stars
Destroyer af fake gods: etchics morals..... values
This is a demolition Film: it destroys what is to be considered the void god of our days: Ethics/Morals. I want to add something even more dangerous: Values. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Lucazest
2.0 out of 5 stars
TOO MUCH SEX FOR A 15 CERTIFICATE
"The Election" is black comedy about the American high school system. Matthew Broderick plays Jim, a well meaning teacher whose life has been plodding along in the same way year... Read more
Published on 14 April 2011 by Camilla Macaulay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Stupidly annoying characters!
I suppose that I had too high expectations for this film. In particular, I like Reese Witherspoon and look out for most of her films. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2010 by Nigel Mc
4.0 out of 5 stars
A hilarious and underrated satire.
Tracy Flick is a seemingly perfect overachieving student who is running unopposed for the position of high school student president in the upcoming student government election. Read more
Published on 4 July 2010 by Ernie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blu-ection
Election is a fantastic underrated black comedy. My review is based on the Blu-ray itself. Picture quality isn't amazing, no better than an upscaled DVD. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by Shaiya
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Dear Lord Jesus, I really must insist that you help me win the...
"Dear Lord Jesus," prays Tracy Flick the night before the election for student body president, "I do not often speak with you and ask for things, but now, I really must insist that... Read more
Published on 1 April 2008 by C. O. DeRiemer
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dark? Yes. Comedy? Definitely not!
After watching this on TV last night, I, at first, couldn't really decide if I had enjoyed it or not. Thinking back over it now I don't think I did. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2007 by Babygirl
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very average
Upon viewing this movie, I got the impression that the director had made a reasonable movie with one or two genuinely original ideas in it, only to cancel these out with pointless... Read more
Published on 14 April 2007 by M. McManus
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