Tracey Flick is running unopposed for this year's high school student council president election. But school guidance counsellor Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger towards Tracey, Jim talks popular varsity football player Paul Metzler into running for president as well.
As director Payne says about the film: "Election explores the sad and pathetic parts of people's lives that you just have to laugh about."
Because of the anti-democratic behaviour of the character "Tammy", the movie might be a good example for pro-democratic class-room based education. Tammy seems to be an unhappy teenager, who is unsatisfied with the electoral system as a rotten and elite favouring system useless to people like her. Interestingly, her enthusiastic speech as a candidate directed against the system earns a huge applause. But while the scene is quite charming, it inhabits another truth about anti-democratic feelings, which is not automatically recognized by the audience: That is, that obviously an improper understanding of democracy leads to anti-democratic feelin
A witty, well-scripted comedy based on solid characterization. The plot twists are fresh and original. Another fine performace by Witherspoon. An `A-` overall, could have been an `A` if not for a few kinks in directing. Not recommended for younger viewers.
Reese Witherspoon was great!