Swing Vote (2008)

Director:

Joshua Michael Stern

Writers:

Jason Richman (written by) &
Joshua Michael Stern (written by)

Release Date:

1 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run.

Plot:

In a remarkable turn-of-events, the result of the presidential election comes down to one man's vote.

Plot Keywords:

Polling Place | Ballot | Presidential Election | Water Tower | Airforce One

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kevin Costner	...	Bud Johnson
Madeline Carroll	...	Molly Johnson
Paula Patton	...	Kate Madison
Kelsey Grammer	...	President Andrew Boone
Dennis Hopper	...	Donald Greenleaf
Nathan Lane	...	Art Crumb
Stanley Tucci	...	Martin Fox
George Lopez	...	John Sweeney
Judge Reinhold	...	Walter
Charles Esten	...	Lewis
Richard Petty	...	Himself
Willie Nelson	...	Himself
Mare Winningham	...	Larissa Johnson
Mark Moses	...	Attorney General Wyatt
Nana Visitor	...	Galena Greenleaf

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

UK:12A | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44167) | South Korea:12 | Australia:M | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-3 | Argentina:13 | Mexico:A | Peru:PT

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Madeline Carroll received an introducing credit, although she had been in 4 other films prior to this.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the election officials visit Bud and Molly for the second time, Bud asks if they can move the news people further back, because they did't get much sleep the night before. One of the election officials turns and signals the agent with ear piece standing behind them to go sort it out. As he walks off, he lifts his left sleeve to speak into the microphone, then quickly switches to his right sleeve once he realizes his mistake.

Quotes:

Molly Johnson: Bud, if you blow this, I'm leaving.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Film '72: (2008-09-23)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

This Little Light Of Mine

entertaining although not plausible

Kevin Costner was actually in another decent movie. His last movie I saw, Mr. Brooks, was pretty good also. I would call this movie a political satire, that tries to be a little funny at times. However, the idea that one guy determines the presidential election is absurd, but if you can get past that, then the plot is OK. It was funny how the movie had the political parties doing adds for things they oppose. Example, the democrats supporting pro life because Bud says he's pro life.

The plot is struggling, every day man, Bud Johnson, just got laid off. He has a very smart daughter and she cares about the presidential election. Bud promises to vote since Molly thinks it's important. But, when he doesn't show, Molly votes in his place but the power goes out and the vote didn't count. The election comes down to New Mexico and for some reason, not told in the movie, Bud's vote will decide the electoral votes. I mean, how could the votes be even for each side and even if they were very close, how many months would it take for all the recounts that would take place. But any way, it's up to Bud, whom doesn't care about politics. He becomes an instant celebrity and is courted by both candidates. By the end of the film, Bud grows an appreciation for the political scene and realizes that it is important to care about social issues.

FINAL VERDICT: Funnier than I thought and provides a message. Plus, the movie doesn't try to say that one party is better than the other.