The Campaign

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The Campaign

R

Released Aug 10, 2012

1h 25m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

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201 Reviews

51%

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100,000+ Ratings

When incumbent Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major gaffe, two wealthy CEOs decide to try to gain influence in their district by putting up a rival candidate. Their unlikely choice is a naive tourism director named Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Aided by his family's political connections and a cutthroat campaign manager, Marty soon becomes locked in a dead heat with Cam. As Election Day approaches, each man slings mud galore in a last-ditch effort to bury the other.

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Critics Consensus

Its crude brand of political satire isn't quite as smart or sharp as one might hope in an election year, but The Campaign manages to generate a sufficient number of laughs thanks to its well-matched leads.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Perhaps one in ten of the jokes hits the mark; the rest are damp, childish squibs

Rated: 3/5

Sep 28, 2012

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

There are some laughs, it doesn't overstay its welcome and neither side in the present fight for the presidency is likely to be offended.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 28, 2012

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The increasingly absurd squabbling between Ferrell and Galifianakis provides more than enough hearty laughs to be getting on with.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 28, 2012

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Campaign is a satire that is pointing what's wrong with American politics and in this regard, it hits it right on the money.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 10, 2022

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Overwhelmed by events, intimidated by the ultra-right, intellectually lazy, distant from the population and its problems and feelings, the liberals find it almost impossible to summon up anything meaningful to say.

Feb 12, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Underneath the layer of laughs is a rather forgettable story.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 1, 2020

Full Review

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John C

I think that, living in Britain and being brought up on such classics as `Yes, Minister' and `The Thick of It,' the bar has been raised pretty high when it comes to political satire. The Campaign is about two political rivals, vying to be Senator in America. It's not as clever as either of the British TV shows; it's more low-brow and slapstick - definitely not as clever. However, it's still good in its own way. Will Ferrell is on form as one slimy Senator and Zach Galifianakis is equally amusing as his hapless and dopey rival. It's daft, enjoyable fun that anyone can enjoy with plenty of laugh out loud moments. It really doesn't matter who wins as the story comes secondary to seeing the two leads send up politicians in general for the lying, patronising, amoral, self-serving cads they are with their polished manufactured image and double-standards (I could go on). Maybe The Campaign is a sad sign of the times? Once upon a time politicians were respected figures of authority. Now they're so unpopular that they're easy fodder to be sent up - and we enjoy seeing them presented like this. It may not be a classic, but it has enough `laugh out loud' moments to make it definitely worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

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Drew B

Pitch perfect casting & written horribly close to real life politics... Unfortunately. It works on a lot of levels.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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Colby B

Not will ferrell’s best but still hilarious. The extended version is the best way to watch the movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

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Desyane M

Simply entertaining, some scenes are too forced to be funny tho

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/14/23

Full Review

Jelisije J

An enjoyable comedy about politicians, politics, and the American way.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

Some really funny moments but mostly choppy and dumb

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/09/22

Full Review

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Jay Roach

Director

Will Ferrell

Cam Brady

Zach Galifianakis

Marty Huggins

Jason Sudeikis

Mitch

Dylan McDermott

Tim Wattley

Katherine LaNasa

Rose Brady

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Synopsis

When incumbent Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major gaffe, two wealthy CEOs decide to try to gain influence in their district by putting up a rival candidate. Their unlikely choice is a naive tourism director named Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). Aided by his family's political connections and a cutthroat campaign manager, Marty soon becomes locked in a dead heat with Cam. As Election Day approaches, each man slings mud galore in a last-ditch effort to bury the other.

Director: Jay Roach
Producer: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jay Roach, Zach Galifianakis
Screenwriter: Chris Henchy, Shawn Harwell
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros., Gary Sanchez Productions, Everyman Pictures
Rating: R (Crude Sexual Content|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 10, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $86.9M
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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