Election

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Election

R

Released May 7, 1999

1h 43m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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115 Reviews

79%

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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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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

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

An instant classic, Alexander Payne's 1999 high school comedy seems even more scathing now that we're losing control of our own election machinery.

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

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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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Jocelyn H

I cannot get over the student/teacher sex-forbidden tension that stood out to me, above all the “comedy”. The fact that the teacher has that convo with her about the signatures then throws them away and watchers porn later, I cannot help but connect that he’s jealous of his fired friend and this teenager. He’s not scared of her, he’s scared of himself and not keeping good conduct and feeling like a loser (which he is, I guess). Not my vibe I didn’t finish the movie, so it’s possible I missed something that could change my opinion on the “message” but oh well.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Troy C

Seen it 3 times and it's still insightful and bitingly hilarious. Even with its almost cartoon stereotyped characters, it's still got lots of heart, poking fun at high school mediocrity, with its sad, dead-end teachers and often lame students. And it especially pokes fun at super-conservative Darwinists who feel justified in destroying anyone they deem beneath them. This film celebrates a different era, when rational thinkers weren't ruled by brittle, monstrously ambitious people with bruised shoulder blades from patting themselves on the back for their righteousness. Marjorie Taylor Greene is Tracy Flick, minus a dozen IQ points and a pretty face.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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john h

A clever black comedy high school flick featuring the humorous combination and tense chemistry between Broderick and Witherspoon that uplifts the satire genre of the 90s.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

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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

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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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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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