Election

This remarkably sour comedy from Alexander Payne (The Holdovers; Sideways; The Descendents) may be set in high school, but its satiric take on moral corruption, political chicanery, adultery and seduction is anything but juvenile — and hits twice as hard today. In a smart role reversal, Ferris Bueller (aka Matthew Broderick) plays Mr McAllister, a responsible, concerned teacher worn thin by long years at George Washington Carver High, by his sexless marriage, and by the plight of his best friend, sacked for sleeping with the redoubtable but under age Tracy Flick (Witherspoon).

Come elections for student council president, Tracy is far and away the front runner, but Mr. McAllister, terrified by the prospect of working so closely with this closet Lolita, and charged with overseeing the proceedings, discreetly sponsors a rival candidate, gormless jock Paul (Chris Klein). Things heat up when Paul’s younger sister joins the race. With her clipped diction, prim demeanour and blinkered ability to see only her side of every issue, Tracy makes a frighteningly credible proto despot… at least as seen through the misogynistic eyes of McAllister. As a microcosm of the malaise creeping through Western democracies, the apathy, vote rigging, and character assassination manifest at Carver High serves all too well.

This millennial classic is part of our monthly Premium Pick series, in which VIFF Premium members nominate a favourite film to share with our audience. This month, Election was suggested by Colby Payne, who comments “Election is a funny and deeply cynical satire with a stellar early career performance from Reese Witherspoon.”

Astute and keenly observerd… This biting black comedy is a microcosm of the questions that still plague institutions of power and those subjected to its inequities.

Wenlei Ma, The Guardian

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