Election
Date viewed: July 5, 1999
Location: Village East Cinemas, Manhattan
Why on earth didn't this movie get more press? It received great reviews and no one that I know has even heard of it.
This movie is the story of an over-achieving high-school student (Reese
Witherspoon) who's running for student body president un-opposed. She's
that perky, smart, slightly nerdy girl that everyone knew in high school.
You know you hate her, it just hard to think of the exact reasons why.
Matthew Broderick plays an American History teacher that hates Reese. He has a hard time pinpointing the reason, too, but he decides to encourage the school's favorite jock to run against her. Broderick's Mr. 'M' is also like a teacher everyone had in high school. He's nice and appears to enjoy his job, but you know he's really a loser that has some sort of offbeat life at home. This guy hides his porn video collection in the basement and watches it while his wife sleeps. You want to like him, but something keeps holding you back.
The jock reflects every athlete composite one has ever known, except this guy has a younger, adopted, lesbian sister set on revenge when her ex-girlfriend starts dating the jock. Sis joins the presidential race, too.
It's a great movie with several subplots that make you realize why you always hated that know-it-all, that too-good-to-be true-teacher, and that jock. I didn't know any lesbians (at least none that were out at the time) in high school, and the one in the movie is really cool. It's also set in Omaha. I love seeing the Midwest portrayed as a den of deceit. I mean, really, what else is there to do but plot against one's neighbors and co-workers?
You'll laugh, you'll... well, you'll laugh.
Listen to me: Go see it. Hurry. It probably won't be around too long at all.
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