Overview
Tracy Flick is running unopposed for this year’s high school student election. But Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger toward Tracy, Jim talks football player Paul Metzler to run for president as well.
From Alexander Payne, this dark comedy looks at the events that rapidly turn a simple school election from a one horse race, to a disastrous, corruption filled campaign which destroys lives. A comical satire of American politics, the film stars Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister, a popular social studies teacher, and Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick – the perfect pupil who really grates on Jim’s nerves. With the upcoming student body president election coming up, and Tracy being the only candidate, Jim takes matters into his own hands to put forward another candidate, and the spiralling descent that follows plays out over the 103 run time.
Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, the film is sharp, funny, and thoroughly entertaining. The multiple character voiceovers are utilised to give the whole film a retrospective analysis of the events approach, each time hinting at the disastrous consequences to come, without spoiling the surprises. Witherspoon, in an early role, is joyfully irritating, and sells the part. Broderick is a sympathetic character, although his selfish motivations make him easy to hate at the same time – the casting of a fan favourite such as Broderick for the role makes it so much easier to love and hate him equally. Chris Klein as Paul Metzler is effectively playing the same type of character he would be well know for through the Pie films.
It’s not top tier Payne – that goes to Sideways and About Schmidt – but it is a solid, entertaining satire, which doesn’t outstay its welcome.