Review of Election (2005) by Mark M — 06 Sep 2009
One of the sharpest comedies released in the past decade, Election turns a satirical eye to the American political system and social hierarchy present in all high schools. What truly sets this apart from other high school comedies, though, is the dark thematic content present throughout the film.
A teacher-student affair, lying, cheating, and sexual frustration play a major role in the film's plot. The more I think about the current state of the high school comedies, the more surprised I am that director Alexander Payne was given what appears to be complete artistic control over the film, especially with MTV Studios involved.
His understated direction brings out all of the subtlety in his and Jim Taylor's excellent script, and he revels in digging beneath the surface to show the dark side of seemingly likable characters.
The dialogue is excellent, and each character is given a distinct voice free from the stereotypes commonly found in high-school comedies. The performances are excellent across the board, but Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick carry the film with their portrayals of two respected individuals willing to do whatever it takes to get their way.
The best high school film since the days of John Hughes, Election should serve as a lesson for studios and filmmakers alike.
This review of Election (2005) was written by Mark M on 06 Sep 2009.
Election has generally received positive reviews.
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