Rent Election for FREE

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental
1000's of films to stream instantly to your PC, TV or PS3^TM at no extra cost

Election Reviews

1999

70
from 9361 members

In this satirical comedy, a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a popular and well-respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha, Nebraska, but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and .. Read more

Starring	Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell
Director	Alexander Payne
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Gay/Lesbian

Sign up Election DVD, Blu-ray

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of Election
View all critics' reviews (6)
- Witty, inventive satire that, although given a high-school setting, makes telling points about the politics and underhand methods involved in all kinds of power struggles.
- 30598
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Election
View all members' reviews (51)
- - 8
  - 0
  A black comedy, ...
  
  A black comedy, excellently acted by Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. Not as cheesy as many films in the High School genre.
  
  Report this review
- 40615
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Marie#59
  - BRISTOL
  - 08 Jul 2004 at 23:35
Most recent members' reviews of Election
View all members' reviews (51)
- - 0
  - 0
  An Hour And A Half Of Tripe
  
  I’ve always liked Matthew Broderick and Reece Witherspoon, so when I saw a preview of this film on another DVD, I thought it looked good and decided to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1074154
- - a customer
  - 17 Dec 2011 at 17:03
- - 0
  - 0
  plods but worth it
  
  not a bad film - sort of plods along but in a nice way - some of the plot twists you see coming but i enjoyed waiting for them......another good matther ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1024233
- - Lincolnactive
  - 9 reviews
  - Lincoln
  - 01 Aug 2011 at 22:57
- - 0
  - 1
  Saw it coming.
  
  While starting funny, light hearted and with enough emotion to keep you going. Clumsy plot twists that you can see coming just so very far ahead make this a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 997133
- - trippledence
  - 1 review
  - 26 May 2011 at 09:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Entertaining enough for a sunday afternoon
  
  Not much more to say about this, it's exactly what it says on the tin. Not so much the 'metaphor for the current state of American politics' that ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 976897
- - ScampiUK
  - 2 reviews
  - Coventry
  - 28 Mar 2011 at 01:22
- - 0
  - 0
  Darkly funny
  
  A much darker film than I was expecting starring the ever-watchable Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, the seemingly straight-laced, straight-A student, the kind... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 971004
- - Donna181
  - 33 reviews
  - Derbyshire
  - 08 Mar 2011 at 09:06
- - 0
  - 0
  Don't watch this with your kids please
  
  Earnest respectable teacher takes exception to the unopposed campaign for student president by an ambitious goody two shoes. He resolves to sabotage it by ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 953767
- - Oldbloke
  - 222 reviews
  - Sidmouth
  - 15 Jan 2011 at 01:15
- - 0
  - 0
  Half-way to greatness
  
  This is an original and witty film with good performances particularly the creepy social climber Witherspoon but it lacks the pathos and depth of About Schmidt ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 899149
- - ikouma
  - 16 reviews
  - Oxford
  - 16 Jun 2010 at 09:47
- - 0
  - 0
  What not to do as a teacher
  
  A very entertaining film which is not only very funny but also shows something of the stresses of working in schools. I love the way that so much hinges on how ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 843864
- - markluchesasmith
  - 7 reviews
  - Portsmouth
  - 01 Jan 2010 at 09:51
- - 0
  - 0
  Election
  
  My issue with this is the 15 certificate. NOT suitable to watch with teenage children. So cringe-worthy (inappropriate teacher/student relationships handled ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 814867
- - a customer
  - Winchester
  - 26 Sep 2009 at 12:01
- - 0
  - 0
  Entertaining
  
  Election is an entertaining title, funny and you can expect to enjoy it!
  
  However, Reese Witherspoon is great as ever!! I just watch a film to see her... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 670994
- - a customer
  - London
  - 10 Dec 2008 at 11:14
View all members' reviews (51)

- - 8
  - 0
  A black comedy, ...
  
  A black comedy, excellently acted by Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. Not as cheesy as many films in the High School genre.
  
  Report this review
- 40615
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Marie#59
  - BRISTOL
  - 08 Jul 2004 at 23:35
- - 6
  - 1
  For losers everywhere
  
  Those of us who have experienced losing of any kind - and let's face it, there are always more losers than winners - will find solace in this High School ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 305910
- - Rotoscoper
  - 5 reviews
  - Bowdon
  - 02 Jul 2004 at 11:00
- - 5
  - 1
  When Hip Becomes Cynical
  
  Director Alexander Payne has stumbled upon a wonderful conceit - a young, prissy busybody whose attempt to win the school election is hijacked by her fearful ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 370049
- - MrBlonde1
  - Oxfordshire
  - 09 Sep 2006 at 12:12
- - 4
  - 2
  Very black comedy
  
  this is the blackest of black comedies, the kind of film that often has you squirming in your seat with embarrassment. That said, it is well worth a viewing, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 4252
- - a customer
  - Leeds, UK
  - 06 Apr 2004 at 09:31
- - 3
  - 0
  A clever & entertaining satire
  
  Which underlines the different characters at an american high school through the focus of an student election.
  
  Its a compliment to Alexander Payne`s ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 337287
- - 6sheep
  - lancashire
  - 09 Jun 2005 at 08:56
- - 3
  - 1
  Don't Bother!!
  
  All I can say is what a load of rubbish!!! I usually really like reese witherspoon's films but this is awful. The story line is boring and just bizarre. I... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 452648
- - a customer
  - Birmingham, England
  - 24 Jun 2007 at 08:55
- - 2
  - 0
  A good film
  
  An interesting film that was fun to watch.
  
  Matthew Broderick's spiral downwards is fun to watch.
  
  Definately watch this especially if ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 129379
- - a customer
  - Bristol
  - 31 Jul 2005 at 09:22
- - 2
  - 0
  Comi-tragedy
  
  Rather slow moving story of marriage, morals and getting to the top regardless of the cost. Reece Witherspoon plays a highly intelligent student who will stop ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 548884
- - a customer
  - Langport
  - 03 Apr 2008 at 22:08
- - 2
  - 0
  Quirky film, good stuff!
  
  Tracy Flick (played by the brilliant Reese Witherspoon) reminds me of Hillary Clinton! Hysterical. This is a dark comedy - not what I was expecting. Highly ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 670438
- - a customer
  - East Anglia
  - 08 Dec 2008 at 20:10
- - 1
  - 0
  Funny and intelligent... Get's my vote in the Election!
  
  For all the reviews that are along the lines of 'I usually enjoy Reese Witherspoon's films, but this is nothing like them' then i'd agree... ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 560922
- - a customer
  - Southend-on-Sea
  - 01 May 2008 at 11:37

< Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
Next >

Critics' reviews
- Witty, inventive satire that, although given a high-school setting, makes telling points about the politics and underhand methods involved in all kinds of power struggles.
- 30598
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:41
- "...ELECTION is a wonderfully acidulous satire....[The film] turns the usual conventions of the high-school comedy on their head..."
- 8389
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...Mr. Broderick knows how to make a fool of himself in very funny ways, and he gives a sneakily good performance here..."
- 8388
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- This remarkable film may be set in high school, but its satiric take on moral corruption, political chicanery, adultery... read more on Time Out
- 43769
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:14
- "...Briskly paced, painfully funny and pretty much unmissable..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- 8390
- - Total Film
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- "...[An] insidiously funny satire....Smart, sophisticated..."
- 8391
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Election - Blu-ray
  
  Director Alexander (CITIZEN RUTH) Payne's second film, based on the novel by Jim Perotta, takes the scandal and mudslinging associated with presidential elections and transposes them to a high school election for student council president in Nebraska- with impossibly sharp, satirical results. ...

- - Buy
- Election
  
  In this satirical comedy, a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a popular and well-respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha, Nebraska, but lately he's been unhappy in ...