'

Election

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Election

R

Released May 7, 1999

1h 43m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Noel Murray

The Verge

Broderick gives a wonderfully nebbishy performance, and the filmmakers do a fine job of using visual cues to define the smallness of his world.

Sep 30, 2019

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

The comedy may not resonate as deeply as the well-named Payne intends, but between Witherspoon's exuberant solipsism and Broderick's talent for absorbing massive humiliation, the chuckles keep coming like poisoned darts.

Mar 3, 2018

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

The treatment of this touchy material is impressive, neither gratuitous nor mincing, but this 1999 satirical comedy doesn't really go anywhere.

Aug 24, 2010

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

To modern eyes, it looks like he’s mad at a teenage girl for getting molested by his friend- something that, through a contemporary lens, makes Jim look a lot more evil than he did 25 years ago (25th anniversary)

Rated: 3/5

Apr 20, 2024

Full Review

Al Topich

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The cast is fun and quirky, but Witherspoon really stands out. She gives a perfect performance.

Jan 6, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A movie of unexpected savagery and caustic wit.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 18, 2021

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Faiz D

A good black comedy set in high school.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Ioanna L

This movie should be watched today . The way we see characters has to have changed. Such a clever movie, loved it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é mais ou menos, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é mais ou menos, mas o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e mais relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

Full Review

Audience Member

A film that continues to grow in relevancy with each election. Alexander Payne is one of the best modern directors at depicting uncomfortable scenes, which this dark comedy takes to disturbing levels that reflect our reality. Despite having a plot propelled by immoral actions, it has aged a lot better than its contemporaries, like “American Beauty”, because of its dedication to depicting social injustices in an authentic manner. Ferris Bueller, Matthew Broderick, has grown into the antagonistic force that tried to ruin the Day Off, a petty educator. Being cast as Jim McAllister allows the character to start in the audience’s favor, until the mask falls off, revealing a hilariously pathetic man struggling with his insignificance. Reese Witherspoon gives one of her best performances as Tracy Flick, a complicated character who is ambition personified, allowing her to win over any adversary by pure persistence.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

watch full amazing movie online on https://glamcinema.com/

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Mason M

One of the best crafted comedies and satires I have ever seen. Election is an amazing and hilarious film, prominently featuring narration which is very well done, and great performances from all of the leads. I find it very interesting that Payne somehow gets us to root for the villain and hate the girl who didn't really do anything wrong, because if you think about it, Jim McAllister does much worse things than Tracy Flick does. A rare comedy that cares about the filmmaking as much as the plot and humor, I'd vote for Election.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

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Alexander Payne

Director

Matthew Broderick

James T. 'Jim' McAllister

Reese Witherspoon

Tracy Enid Flick

Chris Klein

Paul Metzler

Jessica Campbell

Tammy Metzler

Mark Harelik

Dave Novotny

Election: Official Clip - McCallister Must Stop Tracy Now

1:30

Election: Official Clip - Apples, Oranges and Democracy

1:36

Election: Official Clip - Tracy Flick Isn't Upset

1:32

Election: Official Clip - Who Cares About This Stupid Election?

1:38

Election: Official Clip - Pre-Election Prayers

1:56

Election: Official Clip - Seeing Tracy Again

2:11

Election: Official Clip - All Over for McAllister

2:09

Election: Official Clip - Tammy Runs for President

2:09

Election: Official Clip - Slanderous Accusations

2:13

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Election: Election's Best Scenes

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Alexander Payne
Producer: Albert Berger, David Gale, Keith Samples, Ron Yerxa
Screenwriter: Tom Perrotta, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Distributor: MTV Productions, Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Bona Fide Productions, MTV Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.9M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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