Review by Mike Long

Election  (1999)
Paramount Home Video

Length:         103 mins.
Rated:          R
Languages:English
Subtitles:    English
Format:       Anamorphic Widescreen
Extras:        Commentary Track

For those of you who read the reviews here at DVDReview.com, you may have noticed that I review a lot of movies that deal with teenagers. I don't know why, but I really enjoy films like "Go", "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Can't Hardly Wait" (which I'm always urging people to see). Maybe it's arrested development. Whatever the reason, I'd expected my usual teenage movie viewing experience when I sat down to watch the DVD "Election". Was I in for a shock. At the 8:18 point, this movie lets you know that it's not the typical high-school movie and that the faint-of-heart had better leave the room. "Election" doesn't pull any punches and makes for a solid viewing experience.

As "Election" opens, we are introduced to our two main characters. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a high-school history and civics teacher, who also assists with student government. He tries to teach his students about ethics and morality and really enjoys his job. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is a young go-getter who is running for student-body president. Tracy has little time for a social life, as she is always pushing herself to excel in her pursuits, those being academics and school government.

Through a series of creatively executed flashbacks, we learn the history of these two

While the plot sounds very straightforward, the film is layered with subplots and flashbacks that make it much deeper. The story is told using the point of view of four different characters, and this shift in perspective helps to keep things moving. Whereas "Ferris Bueller" was a light-hearted romp, "Election" gets downright mean-spirited at times, as it explores the back-stabbing and treachery that can go into a high-school election. The film is about much more than just the competitiveness of the rivalry. It explores what makes Tracy Flick tick (so to speak) -- why she is such an overachiever. It explores McAllister's homelife and how he supplements the (relative) excitement of the

Director Alexander Payne and co-writer Jim Taylor (who had previously collaborated on "Citizen Ruth") have done a wonderful job of adapting the novel by Tom Perrotta (which I must admit, I am not familiar with). They have broken up the story and tell it in a unique fashion, while never drawing attention to their technique. The way the story fluctuates, with characters suddenly talking about the past or future, isn't very different from the way most of us tell stories to our friends, and it's always nice to see this sort of "colloquial" form put into a film. Also, Payne has a great eye for detail (more about that when I discuss the commentary) and has filled the film with some clever shots -- especially the

While I've never really given much thought to her in the past (she's always been the girl who had Ryan Phillipe's baby), Reese Witherspoon gives a tour-de-force performance in "Election." We all went to school with at least one Tracy Flick, the girl who has to be first to raise her hand because she knows every answer. Witherspoon does an amazing job of conveying the silent insanity that Tracy suffers as she tries to be the best at everything. She uses subtle body- language and facial gestures to instantly let the audience know what she's thinking. Pay attention to the scene where the presidential candidates are making their speeches. When the third candidate is speaking, watch Tracy in the

Something that rarely jumps out in modern dramas is the costuming, but it really caught my eye in "Election". Tracy's plaid skirts and gray tights tell the audience that this is a teenage girl who is coming of age, but must put functionality in front of sexuality. Also, the costumes for McAllister, consisting of short-sleeve dress shirts and ties that don't match are right on the money for a lifelong high-school teacher.

The Paramount Home Video DVD of "Election" presents the film in its widescreen format. The film is letterboxed at 2.35:1 (surprising for a teenage comedy) and is enhanced for

The only extra on "Election" is a commentary track by director Alexander Payne. While Payne doesn't talk consistently throughout the commentary, what he does say is typically very poignant. He points out the little themes, which are running through the movie -- garbage, apples, circles -- little things that help describe the character that may not be evident upon a casual viewing. Also, he gives some insight into some Hollywood conventions that don't conform to reality (such as cars not having rearview mirrors) and how he tries to keep these out of his movies. Payne also tells some good anecdotes about shooting on location and how the film was cast.