Election is a 1999 black comedy-drama that turns a Carver High presidential vote into a ruthless power struggle. Civics teacher Jim McAllister resents overachiever Tracy Flick and works to stop her becoming president in Omaha.
Alexander Payne directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor. The Academy lists them as adapters of Tom Perrotta's novel into political satire in its 2000 ceremony listings. That setup frames the school election as adult ambition, grudge and control.
Table of Contents
- Who turns the vote ruthless?
- Where did the story come from?
- When did audiences get it?
- How was it judged?
- How can viewers study it now?
Who turns the vote ruthless?
McAllister drives the escalation. He recruits popular athlete Paul Metzler to run against Tracy. The move turns an unopposed vote into open rivalry.
Rotten Tomatoes and Collider describe the fallout as sabotage, retaliation and ballot-tampering. Tracy campaigns hard while McAllister meddles behind the scenes. Paul's entry gives resentment a ballot line.
Where did the story come from?
The film adapts Tom Perrotta's 1998 novel Election. Simon and Schuster's page records its first Putnam Adult publication on March 9, 1998 in its book listing. Payne and Taylor are credited for the screen adaptation.
The novel centers its suburban high-school race as political satire. The film keeps that frame. Voters, rules and speeches become tools for settling adult scores.
When did audiences get it?
Paramount Pictures with MTV Films released Election in the United States in spring 1999. Rotten Tomatoes lists April 23, 1999 limited and May 7, 1999 wide in English as a comedy in its film listing.
Cinefile lists the running time at 103 minutes. It stars Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon and Chris Klein as teacher, Tracy and rival. It plays as black comedy-drama about school and politics.
How was it judged?
Academy records note an Oscar nomination for Payne and Taylor for writing based on previously published material. Golden Globe records note a comedy actress nomination for Witherspoon as Tracy Flick. The nominations mark industry respect for script and lead performance.
Theatrical results were weaker. JoBlo and MovieWeb report about $14.9M gross against a $25M budget despite 92 percent Rotten Tomatoes approval. The reputation therefore rests on critics and later video, not opening crowds.
How can viewers study it now?
The Criterion Collection issued Election as Spine 904 on Blu-ray and DVD. The Criterion Collection lists the preserved edition date as Dec. 12, 2017 in its director catalog.
That edition lets viewers pause ballots, posters and reaction shots. It suits classrooms, film clubs and repeat viewing. Start with Tracy's campaign scenes, then track McAllister's choices.