Election (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: Mathew Broderick: Reese Witherspoon, Alexander Payne: DVD

Product Description

Amazon.com Essential Video

Matthew Broderick makes up for years of wet-noodle performances with his low-key but unsparing characterization 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-cowriter 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's becoming a contemporary Carole Lombard. The movie itself feels like a magnificent throwback to the richly layered comedies of the '30s, which drew their humor 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

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Customer Reviews

117 Reviews

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (117 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wickedly funny black comedy., Jun 28 2006

By

Ms. H. Sinton "dragondrums" (Ingleby Barwick. U.K.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Election (Widescreen) (DVD)

Tracey Flick (Reece Witherspoon) is a high flying and highly ambitious student at a Nebraskan high school. The film follows her campaign to become student-council president. Matthew Broderick plays the part of teacher, Jim McAllister, who loathes the `perfect' Tracey and yet has an overwhelming desire for her. Giving in to his hatred of her, McAllister throws his professionalism aside and encourages a rather dim witted, but very popular jock, Paul Metzler (played by Chris Klein) to run against her whilst also doing his utmost to scupper Tracey's chances by `fixing' the vote count. Things get even more complicated when Paul's sister Tammy, the school misfit, also decides to have a shot at the presidency.

This is not the usual teenage high school movie; its humour is far too black for that. The dialogue is brilliantly witty and sharp and has some genuinely `laugh out loud' moments whilst other scenes will make you cringe as the protagonists lives disintegrate before your eyes. The prim and proper Tracey raises feelings of sympathy and revulsion in equal measure while McAllister is a character that deserves everything that comes to him...and come it does. The beauty of this film is in its characterisation, no character is one dimensional but a wonderful mixture of good and bad, all with their flaws.

For anyone wanting a comedy that is black as coal and saccharine free, this is the movie to watch, absolutely brilliant.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Witherspoon and Broderick shine in high school comedy, Jun 15 2006

By

Kona (Emerald City) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Election (Widescreen) (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 admired/envied in high school. He's very likeable 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.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, Jun 15 2004

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J. Jacobs - See all my reviews

This review is from: Election (Widescreen) (DVD)

This movie does an amazing job of incorporating the points of view of several different characters, allowing viewers to both laugh at and feel for their perspectives and situations. It's a journey through a high school election, a seemingly common event, but one that takes on special significance due to corruption, sexual improprieties, the pursuit and destruction of dreams, and the search for success and acceptance. A movie that is both serious and comedic, refreshing and thoughtful, engaging and fun. Witherspoon does an excellent job portraying the intensity of youthful overachiever and presidential candidate Tracy. A great movie for those who are looking for a fun movie with some depth.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Immoral Garbage
You're thinking, 'Matthew Broderick & Reese Witherspoon this ought to be a good movie.' WRONG. That's what I was thinking. Read more

Published on Jun 28 2004 by Eric Fournier

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of 99.
Only Fight Club came close to this movie when it comes to the best of 99. (Which had lots of great movies. Sadly one of my least favorites of 99 won Best Picture). Read more

Published on Jun 13 2004