Election

1999 "Reading. Writing. Revenge."
7.2| 1h43m| R| en| More Info
Released: 23 April 1999 Released
Producted By: Paramount Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

Tracy Flick is running unopposed for this year’s high school student election. But Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger toward Tracy, Jim talks football player Paul Metzler to run for president as well.

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Reviews

Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever
Bergorks If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.
Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
gulsumozturk A high school teacher who was always talking about morals and ethics should not have ended being such a failure.The movie was pointless and there is no moral at the end. In addition, I could not find any point to laugh at, either, so it should not be categorized under comedy genre.
thejcowboy22 Oh the great memories of those old high school days. Lots of friends,parties and winning the senior class presidency, NOT!This all comes to mind in this dark comedy about acceptance, relationships and power. The structure of this story is based from different characters points of view. Their feelings and perspectives on how they benefit or don't from their surroundings in the flat plains of Nebraska. This story takes place in present day Nebraska at a public high school with the two main characters, Award winning Social studies teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and over Sycophant Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon).Mr McaAllister is a teacher in his own little world who uses the amenities of his High School track and shower besides running the annual election for the School. His home life is also simple. He's married but the McAllister' have a problem procreating. The McAllister's have close friends the Novotny's Dave and Linda. Our other main character Tracy Flick is a go-getter power monger and wants that ultimate prize in her young life, the presidency of the High School.The early scenes depict her over achieving ways by raising her hand to all the questions asked by her teacher Mr. McAllister and the numerous clubs she runs in and around the school grounds.Besides running things our little Tracy is having an affair with Math teacher Dave Novotny (Mark Harelik). Dave is so much under Tracy's spell that he glues pictures in a self made book of Hawaii and tells her that he'll take her away to the island paradise. Dave forgets that he's married with a child and he also forgets that Tracy uses the book to get Dave fired from his Job at the school.You just can help but despise her enthusiasm. Mr. McAllister recognizes this girl must be stopped and comes up with a plan to have someone with enough popularity to give Tracy a run for her money.By the way Jim McAllister has a crush on Linda Novotny. Enter first time actor, the simpleton the likable dumb jock and star Quarterback Paul Metzler (Chris Klein). Despite starring on the football field Paul lacks two things, common sense and confidence. Paul also has a Lesbian Sister Tammy played to perfection by Jessica Campbell who is dating a girl Lisa (Frankie Ingrassia)who changes her feeling like the weather and dumps Tammy for her brother Paul. Infuriated and hurt Tammy in return runs for class president against her brother. Now we have a three team race for President with interesting returns in making of this dark comedy with all different aspirations from all the parties in question. Break out role for Reese Witherspoon which in my opinion was worthy of some type of an award. Chris Klein with a superb performance as the lovable jock. Just be wary of custodians in your school.
John Brooks The Breakfast Club meets American Beauty ? Something like that.This film has the makeup of the first with all the realism and implicit social commentary of the other, while maintaining a quality close to both.First of all, Reese Witherspoon does an absolutely monumental job here. Her acting gets right down to the smaller details, and despite her role being a very demanding one, she absolutely excels and delivers the most amazing performance, depicting every itchy inch of her obsessive character's personality and shedding a ton of light to the film on the whole.The film is great in how it tells a main story, then develops subplots that actually matter and aren't filler, and then can be consistently funny while developing all that. It's the sort of 'funny' that is realistic, pays attention to annoying details and the thick imperfections in particular profiles of people, all with a twist of fictitious grotesque that isn't though over-the-top.All in all, it paints an accurate portrait of late 90's America, with some of its social issues (sexual/relationship questions, carelessness and irresponsibility of our modern time in adults...), and it definitely delivers a strong moral at the end of it: he who works hardest wins in the end, but wins what (is it worth it) ?8-8.5/10.
bcheng93 whew....finally i've watched a movie where there is not one main character that i wanted to root for, just like this years election. everybodies got an agenda, everybody is out for themselves...except jock chris klein...but i wouldn't root for him either. plenty of laughs in this movie and you will not guess when they're coming...it just sort of comes..the funny scenes and you'll just laugh or giggle. this is a comedy for intelligent adults...not everybody will get it or like this movie although it is a brilliant one. this has to be witherspoons best performance or in the top 3 in her long career. let me just say that her freeze frame expressions are priceless...there's like 4 or 5 of them and miss witherspoon herself will have a hoot looking back at them. very very intelligent and cynical and just down right nasty business...the election that is...even in high school...one can imagine how bad it can get in the real presidential elections.