Election Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Reading, Writing, Revenge.
Tracy Flick is the most driven student at Carver High, who just happens to be having an affair with one of her teachers. Another teacher—Mr. McAllister—is having an affair with his wife's best friend. Student Elections are under way, when Mr. McAllister persuades football jock Paul to run against Flick for his own pleasure. Flick, of course, is mortified that Paul is even trying to compete. Tammy, Paul's lesbian sister who got dumped by her girlfriend to go with Paul, decides that running against her brother is the best revenge. Who will win the election this year?
| Matthew Broderick | Jim McAllister |
| Reese Witherspoon | Tracy Flick |
| Chris Klein | Paul Metzler |
| Jessica Campbell | Tammy Metzler |
| Phil Reeves | Walt Hendricks |
| Molly Hagan | Diane McAllister |
| Delaney Driscoll | Linda Novotny |
| Mark Harelik | Dave Novotny |
| Colleen Camp | Judith R. Flick |
| Frankie Ingrassia | Lisa Flanagan |
| Joel Parks | Jerry Slavin |
| Matt Malloy | Vice-Principal Ron Bell |
| Holmes Osborne | Dick Metzler |
| Jeanine Jackson | Jo Metzler |
| Loren Nelson | Custodian |
| Alexander Payne |
7.40 out of 10 (31184 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A raging Election
posted on 23 Aug 2009If you watch this expecting a typical Hollywood comedy about high school, you will either be gravely disappointed or very pleasantly surprised. This is an extremely sharp, witty satire that tells us nothing we didn't already know, but manages to make its truths absolutely hilarious. The writing here is top-notch, the dialogue is flawless, and Broderick and Witherspoon both execute their roles perfectly.
Worthwhile viewing
posted on 21 Aug 2009Many people who saw this film were shocked by the way it candidly dealt with subjects such as statutory rape, sex, lesbianism and adultry. However, the overall message this film brings out by use of these "real-life" devices is superb and should excuse any material some may find offensive. The story basically revolves around events that take place in the lives of Matthew Borderick and Reese Witherspoon during a yearly school election. I found it hilarous and the charcters very true to life. In particular Matthew and Reese. Reese's performance in this film is excellent. If you are a fan a Reese I would suggest checking out S.F.W.(small role) or Twilight (she has a partial nude scene in this one).
A thought provoking teen movie.
posted on 16 Aug 2009This movie appeals to a vast range of people. Teens like it for the crazy antics that the characters got through and all the sex that goes on. Other, possibly mor serious movie watchers, appreciate it for the interesting theme it creates. Mathew Broderick's character, as we see in the beginning, can tell you everything you want to know about morals and ethics, even the difference between them, and so can Reese Witherspoon's character. But as the movie unfolds we see that neither of them really have any. And I think the thing that was most interesting was the character of Paul. His character is just so nice it is comical, yet he is not very bright either. In conclusion, I would recoment this movie unless you are easly offended by sexual slurs and images. The strange music when Witherspoon got mad is aslo a stroke of brilliance.
Ferris Bueller grows up -- sort of
posted on 14 Aug 2009Matthew Broderick gives a sly, delightfully comic performance in a film that shows us what Ferris Bueller might have become later in life. The performances by Reese Witherspoon as an ambitious girl who wants to be class president and Chris Klein as a sweet, likeable lunkhead are also hilarious.The film takes the classic high school setting and turns it into a satire of human nature in all of its absurd shades. Ironies and dark humor are mixed with some broad slapstick to make a truly funny movie.
Best dark comedy ever made!
posted on 13 Aug 2009black comedies never usually make me laugh but this one sure did!Probably because it was making fun of overachiever,Tracy Flick.And Matthew Broderick's eye after he gets stung by a bee made me crack up!This one's more smarter,sophisticated than average teen flicks.See it
Awesome.
posted on 11 Aug 2009This movie requires multiple viewings to get most of the jokes. After I first saw it, I knew I liked it and knew that I needed to see it again. It proved much better the 2nd viewing because I listened and watched with more attention. I was laughing at the jokes while other people just sat there. I loved how it reminded me of my highschool...a windowless prison. The DVD is good. The commentary by Alexander Payne is well done.
Smart, Dark, and Hilarious
posted on 01 Aug 2009Like another reviewer, I too am a teen who hates teen movies. In fact, I would never had not planned on seeing this movie, but I caught it on Pey-Per-View one night while babysitting. I decded togive it a try. Boy am I glad I did! My misconceptions were proved to be wrong when I realized that Election is *not* a teen movie, as I had assumed it to be due to the fact that Reese Witherspoon was in it. Election is dark, satirical comedy. People looking for a movie about boy troubles featuring giggling teenage actresses will not be satisfied by this and will probably not get it. Two of my friends, who like teen movies, did not like this movie at all and said it was "weird." Anyway, Election is great, Matthew Broderick is hilarious as the teacher...buy it now!
Brilliant satire on popularity, jealousy and competition
posted on 01 Aug 2009This is nothing short of brilliant - in a microcosm of a small community high school we see the grand drama of popularity, over-achievement, jealousy, competition and corruption acted out as if it were Shakespearean tragedy - and there's the satire. Performances from Broderick and Witherspoon are right on the money. An extremely enjoyable, intelligent and truly funny film. Oscar-nominated screenplay but also deserved a nod in the editing department. Highly recommended.
Ferris Bueller meets John Calvin--Morals, Ethics, Election
posted on 25 Jul 2009A very smart colleague once told me that one of the most important distinctions to make was "ethics" vs. "morals." For most of us, the words are interchangeable; for him, _ethics_ = a system for values and behaviors that you work out intellectually, and _morals_ = a system handed down by Authority, like the MORALs of old fables, or Christian morality.ELECTION asks what the difference is between morals and ethics and asks us to think about what we elect to do.What bothers me about the film is the alternative possibility, voiced-over by the overachieving antiheroine, that what counts is Election: your destiny (in secular success and failure) as it is handed down from ... whomever or whatever, and which you accept--or resist and destroy yourself. More exactly, what bothers me is that the film may *endorse* this Calvinist view.Matthew Broderick's high school teacher may fail so utterly not so much because of his choices and self-deception but because he's unElected natural man, like the proto-humans in the museum he ends up at. His guilt is his desire and his struggling against the dull, boring life in which he finds himself.I hope I'm wrong, but I think MTV just funded something fairly rare: puritan satire of the Zero Tolerance/"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" variety, only without God. The fate of Mr. M. would be a just punishment for an aging Ferris Bueller, but it seems like cruelty to some poor schlemiel of a high school teacher (schmuck, to be more exact, if IMDB will use the word), a guy whose misdeeds are far less than those of characters in the film who end up much better off.
Ahhh Memories
posted on 25 Jul 2009Even though I graduated fifteen years before this film was released, this film brought back lots of memories of when I was in high school. The over achiever who the whole school hates, the dumb jock and the loser. I went to school with all these characters and it really made me have a flashback. One surprising feature about this film is the fact that Matthew Broderick is playing a teacher in this film and pretty much the antithesis of his most famous character, Ferris Bueller. He definitely was the glue that held the film together. Also, this film is a wonderful look at ethics and what motivates different people to do certain things in spite of the consequences that might occur. This film is destined to be a cult classic for years to come.
Reese Shines!
posted on 13 Jul 2009I once read in a magazine article that while growing up, Reese Witherspoon's dad, who is a psychologist, used to call her "Little Miss Type A." I think that her role as Tracey in this film brings out alot of her own personality.She is running for president of her class, and certain that she will acheive it. As the highest achieving student in senior high - she's been in every club and the president of everything possible. She manages to incense one of her teachers, played by Matthew Broderick. He's lost his best friend due to her intellectual attachment that turned sexual to his former best friend and teacher at the school, and is irritated at her rabid go-getter attitude and the sense that she feels better and more deserving than anyone else. He wants to bring her down, and enlists a very popular student who was the school's best athlete to do so.I really am not a fan of Broderick, but he does alright here as a caring teacher who wants fair play. The innocent boy he enlists win, but only by a vote, because Broderick has thrown a couple of ballots away which would have made Tracey the winner.This movie is FUNNY, due to Witherspoon's intense competetive Tracey, who CANNOT accept defeat, and the things that ensue after she is found to be the winner after all.There are other stories going on, a lesbian affair by the popular boy's sister that turns out miserably, with her moping and strange thoughts, Brodericks unfaithfulness to his wife, and believe it or not there is the driest humor and wit in these stories as well as in the main one.I thought this the only good teenage film worth watching at all besides "Clueless" in the past decade.As the so very aggresive and positive Tracey, Witherspoon shined. A perfect performance by so many, and comedy I enjoy watching over and over, this movie really deserves a 10 in the genre of black comedy. Loved it!
GREAT MOVIE THAT MAKES YOU THINK!!
posted on 11 Jul 2009This movie was a surprizingly good look at politics.While
on the surface it may seem to be a high-school comedy,it's a wicked parable of '90's morality.The parallels of
Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill and Clinton/Lewinsky are dead
on,and the ironies of the plot twists make you think.3 that stand out for me:[1] Paul could have forced a tie if he wasn't so stupid and voted for himself instead of
Tracy.[2]Tammy
actually got more votes than Tracy and Paul,but was
disqualified by confessing to destroying Paul's posters. [3]Both Jim and Tracy had the means to destroy each other
before the election,but chose not to.Ultimately,the movie forces you to chose:Jim or Tracy-who's the villain and who's the victim?Most of you seem to root for Tracy,but I
think Jim's the real hero,even though he is defeated.Great performances all around,especially from Matthew Broderick
and Reese Witherspoon,both of whom usually play nice
people.One final word to those of you who complain the movie is too dirty:It's a R-rated movie,none of its scenes are gratuitous,and it's actually more sedate than "South
Park" or "American Pie".
Ok, so maybe we're all a little like Tracy.
posted on 07 Jul 2009When one writes a biting satire, it logically makes sense that the person who is insulting should know his or her topic. This is why high school life has never truly undergone an appropriate cinema vision. We either get "The Substitute" or "High School High". Either way, it's a sad collection of overdrawn clichés that don't work anymore.This is where "Election" drawns it's thin line. Every character in this movie is a person (or persons) that you know. We've all met a Tracy Flick, Paul Metzler, or had a teacher like Jim McAllister. Although each character may be taken to extremes in this movie, you feel for them cause you know them.Hands down, Reese Witherspoon has proven herself an incredible actress. She can play all the roles she wants, without typecasting herself, be it school slut("Pleasantville"), innocent virgin ("Cruel Intentions"), or, as "Election" shows, Conniving Overachiever. This may be her best role yet as she makes you both hate and love Tracy. You can't stand the fact that what would be typically a very flat character has so many levels to her. It's so refreshing.Matthew Broderick is the most underrated actor of our time. He needs recognition already! And don't give me any of that "Ferris Bueller" and "Glory" stuff. And don't mention "Road to Wellville" and "Godzilla" either. For such a horrible person as his character tries to be, you can't help but feel sorry for him because he fails at everything and you know that streak just isn't gonna stop.I will confess, I am a gifted student in my high school, and I know a lot of "Tracy Flick"s. My classmates are Tracys. My best friends are Tracys.n In fact, I'm a bit of a Tracy myself. So this movie was so refreshing cause it was so accurate. Right down to the clubs she was in. And several of my teacher's are McAllister's too. Giving all their time to the school and then getting nothing but gray hairs in return. It's really quite sad.As for the writing and directing, I'm no expert, but the odd way of telling the story through 5 or 6 different character's and yet also from an omnipotent point of view, just may be the funniest thing ever. What a work. Freeze frames, little notes on the screen, stock footage...I want to see more works like this. This is great movie making at a new point of finesse.Bottom line is this: school has never looked so real on the silver screen. MTV Films needs to stay independant and stay in the present (to avoid any "200 Ciggarettes" disasters again). I swear, this movie is practically a real life documentary. Even the bathroom pass made of wood that Tracy has rings true. At least to me. But then again, exiting the movie you seem to learn something about "morals and ethics". Maybe we all have a little Tracy in us after all.
A surprisingly entertaining movie
posted on 04 Jul 2009This is the best thing MTV movies has produced to date. The acting was EXCELLLENT! The story was flimsy but did a great job of examining different peoples motives and weaknesses. I especially liked the whole commentary on the questionable maturity and motives of public school employees. I wish there was 3-1/2 star rating on this site, because that is really what it deserves. I highly recommend seeing this movie.
Great Film!!
posted on 01 Jul 2009I have seen Election now 3 or 4 times and tonight I was fortunate enough to see this again as it was premiering on Cable. What a great little film this is- Matthew Broderick was great as the Revengful Teacher and Reece Witherspoon also gave a great performance as the student who wanted to be No.1 at everything. Definetly one of the best films of the 90's and would throughly recommend this.
MTV
posted on 01 Jul 2009MTV has yet to make a good movie. This was better than most of their productions, but they still have a long way to go. Mathew Broderick was generally funny. Reese W. was casted well, but her character didn't show to be very dynamic. This is an obvious case of people jumping on the bandwagon. This movie didn't deserve to be ranked so high.
And that's our electoral system, folks!
posted on 29 Jun 2009"Election" is a satire on our electoral system, set in an Omaha high school. Reese Witherspoon is overachiever Tracy Flick, trying as hard as possible to get elected. But teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) will try as hard as possible to stop her, even if it means a few unethical actions.Probably the best scene in the movie is the debates. After Tracy and Paul debate, Paul's sister Tammy says something to the effect of: "What's the deal with school elections? Class president is just something that people like to put on college applications. If I get elected, I think that I'll eliminate these positions altogether." As far as I'm concerned, that's a totally accurate statement. All in all, anyone who wants to really understand our electoral system need only watch "Election". Perfect.
Alexander Payne's uncompromising look at highschool politics. Foul-mouthed, sharp and funny
posted on 25 Jun 2009With me, Alexander Payne can do no wrong. Before he entered Hollywood's big league of directors with ABOUT SCHMIDT and SIDEWAYS, he made this remarkable film about a highschool election. But this is hardly your average highschool flick, this is an intelligently written, foul-mouthed film, filled with colorful characters and plenty of laughs in the process. In a pitch-perfect role, Reese Witherspoon is Tracy Flick, one of those irritating girls that are always in the front row, always raise their hand and wanna do something for the sake of the school, read, for their own resume. Tracy Flick is one of those, a fiercely calculating careerist who will stop at nothing to get the main prize, the office of student body president at Carver High. Since she's running unopposed, nothing seems in her way at getting what she wants, again. History teacher and student government adviser Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick, Ferris Bueller reversed) seems content with his life, but is worn out by his love-less marriage, and by the plight of his best friend and colleague, sacked for sleeping with consenting but under age Tracy Flick. With the coming elections, McAllister is appalled by the prospect of working closely with this little nagging career bitch, and charged with overseeing the proceedings, discreetly sponsors a rival candidate, dumb but popular jock Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), to enter the election. But when Paul's sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell), an embittered and unpopular girl announces her candidacy, the election becomes a really back-biting and nasty affair, with Jim McAllister getting more than he bargained for.I think this film might appeal even more to adults than teenagers. If you like Alexander Payne's uncompromising approach to his subjects, this will definitely be up your alley, with everything from lesbianism to adultery thrown in the mix. Ideally casted all the way, with Matthew Broderick, after a number of uninteresting roles in lame movies, really making his mark. He gives his role a sort of understatement that makes Mr. McAllister a hopelessly tragic, but utterly lovable loser.Camera Obscura --- 9/10
Immoral Garbage
posted on 31 Aug 2009You're thinking, 'Matthew Broderick & Reese Witherspoon this ought to be a good movie.' WRONG. That's what I was thinking. The fact that MTV Films produced this movie should have been enough of a warning. Election is not funny, nor clever, nor interesting. All the major characters are immoral bad people doing immoral bad stuff. I am not a prude and if this movie was entertaining in anyway I could have set aside my judgement of the characters. However, it is not entertaining, nor do any of the characters show remorse or grow in anyway. There is nothing redeming about this movie.
Please don't waste your time.