Swing Vote (2008)

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

Director:

Joshua Michael Stern

Writers:

Jason Richman, Joshua Michael Stern

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton

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 (as Charles 'Chip' Esten)
Richard Petty	...	Himself
Willie Nelson	...	Himself
Mare Winningham	...	Larissa Johnson
Mark Moses	...	Attorney General Wyatt
Nana Visitor	...	Galena Greenleaf

Storyline

November, 2004, New Mexico. Bud is a slacker with one good thing in his life, his engaging fifth-grade daughter Molly. On election day, Bud is supposed to meet her at the polling place. When he doesn't show, she sneaks a ballot and is about to vote when the power goes off. It turns out that New Mexico's electoral votes will decide the contest, and there it's tied with one vote needing recasting - Bud's. The world's media and both presidential candidates, including the current President, descend on Bud in anticipation of his re-vote in two weeks. Can the clueless Bud, even with the help of Molly and a local TV reporter, handle this responsibility?

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Plot Keywords:

vote | election | new mexico | polling place | ballot | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un papá muy poderoso

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,230,669 (USA) (1 August 2008)

Gross:

$16,284,360 (USA) (10 October 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Radar Pictures, 1821 Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kate watches video, including the surreptitiously-recorded video of Molly, on a Chyron Duet, a broadcast graphics machine. It can use video files, but it's generally not used for viewing video.

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Goofs

New Mexico State Police Troopers are seen wearing regular neck ties when in actuality the State Police uniform uses bow ties.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Radio Announcer: After a hotly contested race Americans go to the polls today for what promises to be a very close election. The Republican incumbent Andrew Carrington is hoping to hold on to the Oval Office, taking on Democratic challenger...

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Crazy Credits

"and introducing Madeline Carroll"

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Connections

Features Hardball with Chris Matthews (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Carry On"
Written by Stephen Stills
Performed by Crosby Stills Nash & Young (as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Flim & TV Licensing

User Reviews

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.