Election: Critic Reviews

The screenplay, by Payne and Jim Taylor, delights!

You've got to laugh at Witherspoon's tightly wound Little Miss Perfect, rising at dawn to do her hair and encase herself in a preppy look before baking cupcakes to pass out at school as vote-getters in her campaign for student council president.

The film never finds a confident tone.

An instant classic, Alexander Payne's 1999 high school comedy seems even more scathing now that we're losing control of our own election machinery.

The treatment of this touchy material is impressive, neither gratuitous nor mincing, but this 1999 satirical comedy doesn't really go anywhere.

A dark, insidiously funny satire on the self-involved ways otherwise rational people can allow narrow personal agendas to lead them astray to the point of self-destruction.

Election at first has the feel of a simple work. But don't let that fool you; it's a complex, deep tale.

Dark high school comedy is best for older teens.

Surprise! An intelligent, well-written high school story that offers some real ideas to chew on, rather than simply wallowing in nubile flesh.

Took the sleaze of the teen comedy and spun it into something that's both hugely entertaining and extremely insightful.

A funny and horrifying allegory of American politics and adult society, as seen through the prism--or shall we say "prison"?--that is secondary education. [Blu-ray]

Maybe its only real fault is that it's a little too close to the truth to be as funny as it could be.

[A] wicked, carnal comedy.

The script, based on a Tom Perrotta novel, is tight and elegant.

Alarmingly insightful.

...a surprisingly compelling piece of work..

Kudos to Payne and Taylor for their courage, balance, and humor.

This remarkable film may be set in high school, but its satiric take on moral corruption, political chicanery, adultery and seduction is anything but juvenile.

Beuller?... Beuller? Where's Ferris? Oh, there he is on the floor. Brought to his knees and he still hasn't learned anything.

Production, set, costume and photography all help give the film a crisp look, capturing the inherent mid-western feel provided by the Omaha, Nebraska locale.

Those who watch this film now are going to experience it as a more powerful socio-political commentary than the audiences in 1999.

A sordid and savory dark comedy. Broderick is the flipside of his Ferris Beuller persona. Reese Witherspoon captures so perky you could strangle her to perfection.

Fun and funny, but a bit rude at times.

Blends deft human observation, solidly realized characters and a few slightly domesticated moments of shock humor [to create] a comedy as rich and winning as it is offbeat.

The movie hits its keenest edge as a portrait of self-delusion.