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Election
1999 103 min United States of America R 16+
★7.7
Comedy, Drama
Director: Alexander Payne
📖 Based on the novel
«Election»
byTom Perrotta
Trailers
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Description
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.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$14.9M
Worldwide:
$14.9M
Starring
Matthew Broderick
Actor
Reese Witherspoon
Actor
Loren Nelson
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 2000
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Academy Awards 2000
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Key opinion
Election is widely regarded as a sharp, cynical satire that uses the microcosm of high school politics to expose the absurdities of adult ambition and morality. While some viewers find the character portrayals lacking in warmth or depth, most critics and audiences praise the film's precise performances and its enduring relevance as a dark, uncomfortable comedy.
| Acting | Reese Witherspoon delivers a defining performance as the relentlessly ambitious and manipulative Tracy Flick. | |
| Direction | Alexander Payne effectively uses a dry, observational style to satirize the petty dynamics of suburban life and American democracy. | |
| Acting | The performances of Matthew Broderick and Chris Klein provide strong, grounded support that complements the central conflict. | |
| Theme | The film's tone is polarizing; some viewers find the relentless cynicism and lack of sympathetic characters makes the film cold, while others appreciate its honest, unflinching bite. |