Review of Election (2005) by Scott P — 29 Feb 2008

Election is like the juicy gossip you get from a friend about people you know from high school.

"Election" is bold, sharp and witty. The movie never ceases to hook your attention. No high school film has ever felt so complex or multi-layered! These characters in "Election" are so flawed.

The film's tackles strong subjects; adultery,lust,ambition, corruption. Its the kind of melo-dramatic satire you'd see from a stage production.

Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon deliver outstanding performances. Witherspoon playing the over-achieving student who's always busy but is lonely and Broderick as the high school teacher, who (in the beginning) is well respected ,but what he desires destroys his credibility.

The screenplay written by Jim Tayor and Alexander Payne and based off the novel by Tom Perrotta is brilliantly crafted. There's truly painful laughs throughout the film. Its sometimes nail-biting and hilarious to see what happens next.

What I can tell you is this, if you like melo-dramas or movies with strong conflict between its characters or depictions of truly flawed individuals. Election brutally shows everything in these character's lives. Its on the same level as a humorous version "American Beauty". If your prepared to explore dark humor expressed in "Election" I suggest you give it a watch or a double feature viewing along with "Rushmore". "Election" is definitely a classic.