Teens as real people - what a concept
Election A Film Review By Michael Redman Copyright 1999 By Michael Redman
***1/2 (Out of ****)
Far too often when we step into the voting booth, we are forced to choose the lesser of evils. It's a fact of jaded modern life that we rarely feel there is a "best person" we want to win. It's no different in high school.
At George Washington Carver High School (with hardly a person of color in sight), Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is destined to win the student body election. There is no one running against her.
Her error is reminding faculty advisor Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) that when she wins, they will be spending a lot of time together. Remembering the previous year when the beautiful teen took a colleague of his into the darkroom to see what developed and thinking of his secret collection of cheerleader porn, McAllister can see the ominous writing on the wall.
Determined to avoid his fate, he convinces star jock Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy. Paul stumbles into trouble when his sister Tammy's (Jessica Campbell) supposed lesbian lover jumps into his bed. Tammy decides to run against Paul for revenge.
The issues are gray rather than black and white. There are no demons or saints, just people. Director Alexander Payne must remember what high school was really like.
Even better, it's hilarious. When prim and proper Tracy is wearing an over-sized campaign button and giving away cupcakes, all saying "Pick FLICK", it's a reminder of why her last name is a typographer's nightmare and broadcasts her secret attitude.
The actors are in fine form. It's fun to watch Broderick on the other side of the desk from his Ferris Bueller role. Witherspoon is flawless as the pursed-lipped and driven over-achiever. The film is something of a satire of the 1992 elections and her character is loosely based on Bill Clinton (Campbell is Ross Perot), but she seems more like potential contender Elizabeth Dole. Klein and Campbell are perfect in their roles.
Unlike any other teen film of recent years, "Election" is both humorous and thoughtful. A fine combination.
[The appeared in the 6/3/99 "Bloomington Independent", Bloomington, Indiana. Michael Redman can be contacted at Redman@indepen.com] -- mailto:redman@indepen.com This week's film review: http://www.indepen.com/ Film reviews archive: http://us.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Michael%20Redman Y2K articles: http://www.indepen.com/
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