Election (1999)

A high school teacher meets his match in an over-achieving student politician.

Director:

Alexander Payne

Writers:

Tom Perrotta (novel), Alexander Payne (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Broderick	...	Jim McAllister
Reese Witherspoon	...	Tracy Flick
Chris Klein	...	Paul Metzler
Jessica Campbell	...	Tammy Metzler
Mark Harelik	...	Dave Novotny
Phil Reeves	...	Walt Hendricks
Molly Hagan	...	Diane McAllister
Delaney Driscoll	...	Linda Novotny
Colleen Camp	...	Judith R. Flick
Frankie Ingrassia	...	Lisa Flanagan
Matt Malloy	...	Vice-Principal Ron Bell
Jeanine Jackson	...	Jo Metzler
Holmes Osborne	...	Dick Metzler
Loren Nelson	...	Custodian
Emily Martin	...	Girl in Crisis

Storyline

The high school Class President election is approaching and it looks like Tracy Flick is going to win, unopposed. However, teacher Jim McAllister has other plans. He convinces jock Paul Metzler to run, sparking off an interesting chain of events.

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Plot Keywords:

black comedy | high school | overachiever | sex scene | election campaign | 

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Taglines:

Reading, Writing, Revenge.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and language, and a scene of drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Irony: although George Washington Carver High School is named after a famous African American scientist, the faculty and student body are almost entirely white. This was likely intentional on the part of the filmmakers.

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Goofs

The nickname of the mythical Nebraska high school is the Wolverines. However, when the results of the election are announced at the assembly, the name Monarchs clearly appears on the side of the gym floor. This is the nickname of Papillion-La Vista (Nebraska) High School where many of the scenes were shot.

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Quotes

[Dave's affair with Tracy has been discovered]
Dave Novotny: [tearfully] Tracy's mom, she doesn't understand.
Walt Hendricks: No, I'd say she doesn't. The fact is I have never seen a mother so upset. All right, I know what Tracy told her mother, what her mother told me, I need to hear this from you, because I have a legal responsibility here. Let me ask you this... Did you cross the line with this girl?
Dave Novotny: I... We... We're in love.
[he sobs helplessly]

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Crazy Credits

The end titles include four "The producers wish to thank the following:" cards, one "Very Special Thanks to:" card, and one "Extra Very Special Thanks to:" card.

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Connections

References Starship Troopers (1997)

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Soundtracks

Right in the Back of Your Mind
Written by Edgar Jones
Performed by Spacehog
Courtesy of Sire Records

User Reviews

Cynical - just the way I like them!

This is quite simply one of the finest movies I have ever seen. It has incredible pace and flair, with both the script and the direction demanding equal attention. And it just works so well on so many levels. Whilst it is a political satire, it also stands well as a story in its own right. It's great to see Matthew Broderick in a good film. Reese Witherspoone turns in what I consider to be a career-best, and Chris Klein is wonderfully endearing as a jock with a heart of gold.

What I really love about Election is the way its pace doesn't let up at all. By the time you've finished you feel like you've seen a good two and a half hours of movie. It's the only film I know that seems longer than it is in a good way.

This film made me laugh out loud more than any other I can remember that isn't just a dumb comedy. But Election also doesn't take itself too seriously. The direction can accurately be described as deadpan - with Chris Klein, stripped of his ability to play football, gazing soulfully out to sea, and falling asleep over a book on philosophy. The way that each major character is afforded a voice-over, giving us an amusing insight into their psyche, is a wonderful technique, and the freezeframes of Reese Witherspoone's contorted facial expressions truly are moments to treasure.

What more can I say? Election is smart, funny, and biting. It maintains its brilliance for the entire duration of the movie, and the ending is wholly satisfying. In fact, I can't actually think of one word of criticism. You'll have to search long and hard to find a better film anywhere, which is why I'm giving it a stellar nine out of ten.

Details

Official Sites:

Criterion Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

7 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Election

Filming Locations:

16th St NW & H St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$119,080, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$14,902,041

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,902,041

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bona Fide Productions, MTV Films, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1