Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

      View All
      Movies Tv shows Movie Trivia News Showtimes
      Watch trailer for Election

      Election

      1999, Comedy, 1h 43m

      116 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film. Read critic reviews

      You might also like

      See More
      Open Range poster image
      Open Range
      The Player poster image
      The Player
      Scent of a Woman poster image
      Scent of a Woman
      The People vs. Larry Flynt poster image
      The People vs. Larry Flynt
      Lost Highway poster image
      Lost Highway

      Where to watch Election

      Rent/buy Subscription Rent/buy

      Watch Election with a subscription on Max, rent on Apple TV, Vudu, or buy on Apple TV, Vudu.

      Rate And Review

      User image

      Verified

      • User image

        Super Reviewer

        Rate this movie

        Oof, that was Rotten.

        Meh, it passed the time.

        It’s good – I’d recommend it.

        Awesome!

        So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

        What did you think of the movie? (optional)



      • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

      • User image

        Super Reviewer

        Step 2 of 2

        How did you buy your ticket?

        Let's get your review verified.

        • Fandango

        • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

        • Cinemark Coming Soon

          We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

        • Regal Coming Soon

          We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

        • Theater box office or somewhere else

        You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

      • User image

        Super Reviewer

        Rate this movie

        Oof, that was Rotten.

        Meh, it passed the time.

        It’s good – I’d recommend it.

        Awesome!

        So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

        What did you think of the movie? (optional)

      • How did you buy your ticket?

        • Fandango

        • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

        • Cinemark Coming Soon

          We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

        • Regal Coming Soon

          We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

        • Theater box office or somewhere else

      Election  Photos

      "Election photo 1" "Election photo 2" "Election photo 3" "Election photo 4" "Election photo 5" "Election photo 6" "Election photo 7" "Election photo 8" "Election photo 9" Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) "Election photo 14" "Election photo 15" "Election photo 16" "Election photo 17" Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) Election (1999) "Election photo 20"

      Movie Info

      Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a well-liked high school government teacher, can't help but notice that successful student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) uses less than ethical tactics to get what she wants. When Tracy runs for school president, Jim feels that she will be a poor influence on the student body and convinces Paul, a dim-witted but popular student athlete, to run against Tracy. When she becomes aware of Jim's secret involvement in the race, a bitter feud is sparked.

      Cast & Crew

      Matthew Broderick
      Reese Witherspoon
      Chris Klein
      Jessica Campbell
      Mark Harelik
      Phil Reeves
      Molly Hagan
      Delaney Driscoll
      Colleen Camp
      Matt Malloy
      Holmes Osborne
      Alexander Payne
      Jim Taylor
      Van Toffler
      Ron Yerxa
      Jim Burke
      Jacobus Rose
      David Burris
      Rolfe Kent
      Mack Gordon
      Ennio Morricone
      James Glennon
      Kevin Tent

      News & Interviews for Election

      Critic Reviews for Election

      Audience Reviews for Election

      • Sep 30, 2015
        Election is the type of satire where one is more likely to wince than laugh. It is a bit dark and edgy and is reminiscent of American Beauty. The performances are good, though a bit overwrought. Election, while not thoroughly enjoyable, is a still a remarkable film.
        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 23, 2015
        Yesterday was a terrible day for me, so I put off this review for a while to gather my bearings. I digress, so moving on. Now the only 90s intellectual high school comedy that I've left to watch is Rushmore. Perhaps intellectual is a wrong description for this film, it definitely very smart indeed. But I think intellectual implies that it might go over people's heads. And I don't wanna say the story is 'simple', because it's not, but this movie has a great way of telling its story. Great in the sense that it's easy to get into and it's easy to invest. This isn't exactly what I would call broad comedy, but I think it would still be enjoyed by people who don't even appreciate this kind of film. That's how well-written it is. Of course, it also helps when you have Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick as your leads. Both are perfectly cast here and they play off of each other very well. Granted, the film keeps their stories separate for the most but they, obviously, intersect. At first, McAllister pressures Paul to join the race as a hollow way of given the 'voters' some options as Tracy was running unopposed. But, as the film and election campaign progresses, and his life falling apart, McAllister starts to play a more active role in actively trying to make sure that Tracy does not win the election because of how annoying she is. And Reese Witherspoon plays the role to perfection, but she's not entirely unlikable as I believe her motivations are believable. First of all, her mother has put this enormous pressure on her to succeed in life, which can't be easy at that age, and her desire to be president is mostly due to the fact that she thinks it would bring her friends. It, obviously, didn't go that way as Tracy's personality can certainly come on a little strong sometimes. But, as mentioned, Reese plays this to perfection. Matthew is excellent as well as this mild-mannered, likable, and good teacher who, for one reason or another, finds himself obsessed with this election even as his life goes down the tubes due to an affair. There's narration from all characters involved and McAllister's was easily the best because what he said typically never matched up with what was actually going on in the film. He'll be telling a story about his affair with Linda got started and the complications that brought and he'll end it with 'You could say my life was going really well'. His cheery optimism even in the face of being forced to live in a way too expensive, yet small, apartment, a shitty job as a museum guide, being forced to move away from his city because of the scandal at the school, and losing his wife is something to behold. It's certainly funny. And, of course, the satire on the nature of politics and elections is not lost on me. It's certainly a very smart film and one with more on its mind than meets the eye. But I digress, this is a very good movie and it's certainly underrated among 90s comedies. I'd definitely recommend it if you have Netflix. And even if you don't. It's worth watching.
        jesse o Super Reviewer
      • Jan 08, 2014
        An amusing satirical film that may take us more than one viewing to grasp its subtle, dark humor and the sharp irony of what it wants to say involving ethics and morality - and it benefits immensely from some very nuanced characters played by the actors in excellent performances.
        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 31, 2013
        A very quirky and intelligent dark comedy with a breakout role from Reese Witherspoon, Election is as funny as it is original, and both Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick play their characters with the utmost comic precision. One of Alexander Payne's best films, although Sideways still stands out as the best of his work.
        Super Reviewer

      Movie & TV guides

      View All