It’s been an eventful week for Montana Jordan. Five days after Young Sheldon wrapped its seven-season run, the 21-year-old actor and his partner, Jenna Weeks, have welcomed their first child into the world.
“God has blessed me with a beautiful babygirl,” Jordan, who plays Georgie Cooper, wrote on Instagram. “Emma Rae Jordan, Momma and Daddy love you. Forever and always.”
More from TVLine<em>Young Sheldon</em> EP Addresses Paige’s Absence in Final Season: ‘We Never Thought That Was an Arc That Needed More Closing Than It Got’<em>Young Sheldon</em> EP Confirms George Never Cheated on Mary… But Sheldon Still...
“God has blessed me with a beautiful babygirl,” Jordan, who plays Georgie Cooper, wrote on Instagram. “Emma Rae Jordan, Momma and Daddy love you. Forever and always.”
More from TVLine<em>Young Sheldon</em> EP Addresses Paige’s Absence in Final Season: ‘We Never Thought That Was an Arc That Needed More Closing Than It Got’<em>Young Sheldon</em> EP Confirms George Never Cheated on Mary… But Sheldon Still...
- 5/21/2024
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Reese Witherspoon as Tracy FlickScreenshot: Paramount Pictures
This May, Glee turns 15. For better or worse—often both, within the same episode—the series is singular. It ushered in a wave of musical TV shows, and with it a new era of merchandising. Its young cast might not have become Euphoria famous,...
This May, Glee turns 15. For better or worse—often both, within the same episode—the series is singular. It ushered in a wave of musical TV shows, and with it a new era of merchandising. Its young cast might not have become Euphoria famous,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Drew Gillis
- avclub.com
There were many memorable cinematic performances that came from actresses in 1999 (Annette Bening in American Beauty, Samantha Morton in Sweet and Lowdown, Julianne Moore in Magnolia). And then there was a truly iconic turn from Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, the terrifying antagonist in Alexander Payne’s sharp political satire, Election.
A cunning, ambitious and oh-so-annoying foil to her teacher and would-be mentor, Omaha-area social studies instructor Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), Tracy is at times the worst — for example, when her affair with Mr. McAllister’s best friend is discovered, the teenager has no qualms about abandoning him entirely — and in other moments, Tracy can be the absolute best. At least, she insists on that top slot, no matter what: having the highest grades, getting into the best college, winning a high school election — she’s destined for greatness, which in the time Election takes place means winning the office...
A cunning, ambitious and oh-so-annoying foil to her teacher and would-be mentor, Omaha-area social studies instructor Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), Tracy is at times the worst — for example, when her affair with Mr. McAllister’s best friend is discovered, the teenager has no qualms about abandoning him entirely — and in other moments, Tracy can be the absolute best. At least, she insists on that top slot, no matter what: having the highest grades, getting into the best college, winning a high school election — she’s destined for greatness, which in the time Election takes place means winning the office...
- 4/24/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Young Sheldon fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 7 Episode 7 episode titled A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet!
Find out everything you need to know about the A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet episode of Young Sheldon, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!
Young Sheldon A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet Season 7 Episode 7 Preview
Get ready for a heartwarming and unforgettable event in the latest episode of “Young Sheldon” titled “A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet,” airing on CBS at 8:00 Pm on April 11, 2024. In this highly anticipated installment, viewers will witness a significant milestone as Georgie and Mandy exchange vows and embark on a new chapter of their lives together.
As the wedding day approaches, excitement fills the air in the small Texas town of Medford. Georgie,...
Find out everything you need to know about the A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet episode of Young Sheldon, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!
Young Sheldon A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet Season 7 Episode 7 Preview
Get ready for a heartwarming and unforgettable event in the latest episode of “Young Sheldon” titled “A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet,” airing on CBS at 8:00 Pm on April 11, 2024. In this highly anticipated installment, viewers will witness a significant milestone as Georgie and Mandy exchange vows and embark on a new chapter of their lives together.
As the wedding day approaches, excitement fills the air in the small Texas town of Medford. Georgie,...
- 4/4/2024
- by News
- TV Regular
Get ready for a heartwarming and unforgettable episode of “Young Sheldon” as Season 7 Episode 7, titled “A Proper Wedding and Skeletons in the Closet,” airs Thursday at 8:00 Pm on CBS! In this highly anticipated installment, viewers will witness a special milestone as Georgie and Mandy tie the knot in a proper wedding ceremony.
As Georgie and Mandy embark on this new chapter of their lives together, the Cooper family comes together to celebrate their love and unity. From heartfelt vows to touching moments, this episode promises to be filled with joy, laughter, and sentimental memories.
However, amidst the joyous occasion, the Coopers also face some unexpected surprises as skeletons from the past come back to haunt them. As secrets are revealed and old wounds are reopened, the family must confront their past and navigate through the challenges together.
Join Sheldon, Georgie, Mandy, and the rest of the Cooper family for...
As Georgie and Mandy embark on this new chapter of their lives together, the Cooper family comes together to celebrate their love and unity. From heartfelt vows to touching moments, this episode promises to be filled with joy, laughter, and sentimental memories.
However, amidst the joyous occasion, the Coopers also face some unexpected surprises as skeletons from the past come back to haunt them. As secrets are revealed and old wounds are reopened, the family must confront their past and navigate through the challenges together.
Join Sheldon, Georgie, Mandy, and the rest of the Cooper family for...
- 4/4/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
As a self-confessed former teenage overachiever with an insufferable drive for success and a hypersexualized approach to the world around me, there are few characters in cinema that speak to me as loudly as Tracy Enid Flick. Alexander Payne's biting satire of midwest teenage politics based on Tom Perrotta's brilliant novel of the same name, "Election," remains a seminal favorite, and quite possibly one of the most honest films about the corruption of the American electoral system. While Reese Witherspoon had been acting for a few years leading up to the film's release, her performance as Tracy Flick proved that she was more than just a teen starlet, and was an acting powerhouse destined for greatness.
Released in indisputably the most significant year of teen cinema, 1999, "Election" tells the story of high school government teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and his disdain for his precocious student, Tracy Flick,...
Released in indisputably the most significant year of teen cinema, 1999, "Election" tells the story of high school government teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and his disdain for his precocious student, Tracy Flick,...
- 12/9/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Reese Witherspoon fans rejoice! Tracy Flick is headed back to school for the Election sequel Tracy Flick Can’t Win for Paramount+. Alexander Payne, who wrote the original script that was based on the Tom Perrotta novel, will also be penning the script for the sequel. Payne wrote the sequel which was released in June of this year. According to the novel’s description, Tracy Flick Can’t Win centers around Tracy who is now a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still, an ambitious woman, Tracy experiences a midlife crisis as she feels stuck and under-appreciated until she receives a bit of food news when longtime principal Jack Weede announces his plans for retirement, offering her the chance to ascend to the top job. (Credit: Everett Collection) The 1999 film, which saw Witherspoon star alongside Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister (A social studies teacher...
- 12/8/2022
- TV Insider
Hollywood is ready to “Pick Flick” again for an Election sequel starring Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show) called Tracy Flick Can’t Win. The original film’s writer and director, Alexander Payne, will return for the follow-up to Witherspoon’s 1999 cult comedy. Payne is writing the sequel with Jim Taylor, inspired by Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name. The story focuses on Tracy Flick, an assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Despite her tenacity and thirst for power, Flick still struggles to make her mark on the world and show doubters who’s boss.
Here is the official description of Perrotta’s novel Tracy Flick Can’t Win:
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
Here is the official description of Perrotta’s novel Tracy Flick Can’t Win:
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Serving as a breakout for Alexander Payne following his debut Citizen Ruth, 1999’s Election followed Reese Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick as a high school student running for the student body and Matthew Broderick’s Jim McAllister as the high school teacher who gets in her way. Now, over two decades later, the satire is getting a sequel.
THR reports Tracy Flick Can’t Win is in the works, with Alexander Payne returning to direct and script alongside Jim Taylor, and Reese Witherspoon returning to star. The development isn’t entirely surprising as Tom Perrotta’s sequel novel was released earlier this year, following Flick as an assistant principal. See the synopsis below.
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
THR reports Tracy Flick Can’t Win is in the works, with Alexander Payne returning to direct and script alongside Jim Taylor, and Reese Witherspoon returning to star. The development isn’t entirely surprising as Tom Perrotta’s sequel novel was released earlier this year, following Flick as an assistant principal. See the synopsis below.
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Reese Witherspoon will star in and produce “Election” sequel “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” at Paramount+.
The “Big Little Lies” actress will reprise her role as Tracy Flick in the adaptation based on Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name.
“Tracy Flick Can’t Win” will follow up on the beloved 1999 film that documented a high-stakes student government election as overachieving Tracy goes head-to-head with social studies teacher Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, who sabotages Tracy’s campaign.
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Published in June 2022, Perrotta’s satirical dark comedy “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” charts Tracy’s life into adulthood as she climbs her way to political power. Perrotta will also serve as executive producer for the adaptation.
“Election” director and co-writer Alexander Payne will return to direct and will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In collaboration with Hello Sunshine,...
The “Big Little Lies” actress will reprise her role as Tracy Flick in the adaptation based on Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name.
“Tracy Flick Can’t Win” will follow up on the beloved 1999 film that documented a high-stakes student government election as overachieving Tracy goes head-to-head with social studies teacher Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, who sabotages Tracy’s campaign.
Also Read:
‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ Gets Premiere Date on Prime Video
Published in June 2022, Perrotta’s satirical dark comedy “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” charts Tracy’s life into adulthood as she climbs her way to political power. Perrotta will also serve as executive producer for the adaptation.
“Election” director and co-writer Alexander Payne will return to direct and will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In collaboration with Hello Sunshine,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Paramount Pictures has announced that Tracy Flick Can’t Win — a sequel to Alexander Payne’s cult classic 1999 comedy Election — is being made for Paramount+. Payne is returning as director, with the original film’s lead Reese Witherspoon to produce and reprise her starring role.
Based on Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel of the same name, Election watches as the high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) finds himself on a collision course with the over-achieving student politician, Tracy Flick (Witherspoon). The satire drawing parallels between the worlds of high school and politics was Payne’s second feature on the heels of 1996’s Citizen Ruth and proved to be his breakthrough project, netting him and his collaborators three Independent Spirit Awards, a WGA Award and an Oscar nomination, with Witherspoon landing her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Election sequel is based on a follow-up novel by Perrotta, which was published by Scribner in June.
Based on Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel of the same name, Election watches as the high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) finds himself on a collision course with the over-achieving student politician, Tracy Flick (Witherspoon). The satire drawing parallels between the worlds of high school and politics was Payne’s second feature on the heels of 1996’s Citizen Ruth and proved to be his breakthrough project, netting him and his collaborators three Independent Spirit Awards, a WGA Award and an Oscar nomination, with Witherspoon landing her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Election sequel is based on a follow-up novel by Perrotta, which was published by Scribner in June.
- 12/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
It's been 20 years since Tracy Flick ran for student body president.
Election, which opened in select theaters on April 23, 1999 before going wide on May 7, 1999, follows beloved high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) as he tries to stop overachieving junior Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) from winning the school's presidential election. The two have bad blood following Tracy's affair with Jim's friend and former colleague, which led to the other teacher's expulsion.
While Election wasn't a box office success, it was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. Witherspoon earned a ...
Election, which opened in select theaters on April 23, 1999 before going wide on May 7, 1999, follows beloved high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) as he tries to stop overachieving junior Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) from winning the school's presidential election. The two have bad blood following Tracy's affair with Jim's friend and former colleague, which led to the other teacher's expulsion.
While Election wasn't a box office success, it was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. Witherspoon earned a ...
It's been 20 years since Tracy Flick ran for student body president.
Election, which opened in select theaters on April 23, 1999 before going wide on May 7, 1999, follows beloved high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) as he tries to stop overachieving junior Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) from winning the school's presidential election. The two have bad blood following Tracy's affair with Jim's friend and former colleague, which led to the other teacher's expulsion.
While Election wasn't a box office success, it was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. Witherspoon earned a ...
Election, which opened in select theaters on April 23, 1999 before going wide on May 7, 1999, follows beloved high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) as he tries to stop overachieving junior Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) from winning the school's presidential election. The two have bad blood following Tracy's affair with Jim's friend and former colleague, which led to the other teacher's expulsion.
While Election wasn't a box office success, it was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards. Witherspoon earned a ...
Reese Witherspoon’s ruthless go-getter remains fascinatingly toxic in Alexander Payne’s bleak and biting political comedy
There’s a big M Night Shyamalan twist in the final minutes of Election, Alexander Payne’s searing 1999 high school satire. Tracy Flick, the irritating overachiever indelibly played by a breakout Reese Witherspoon, is a Republican.
Throughout the film, Payne prefers to think about politics in the abstract, as an illusory choice between interchangeable versions of the same bullshit. Odious civics teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) explains democracy as having the option to select either an apple or an orange, represented with two identical circles on his chalkboard. The closest thing that this comedy of bad morals has to a hero is Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell), who galvanizes the student body with a promise to dissolve the school government in toto if elected class president.
There’s a big M Night Shyamalan twist in the final minutes of Election, Alexander Payne’s searing 1999 high school satire. Tracy Flick, the irritating overachiever indelibly played by a breakout Reese Witherspoon, is a Republican.
Throughout the film, Payne prefers to think about politics in the abstract, as an illusory choice between interchangeable versions of the same bullshit. Odious civics teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) explains democracy as having the option to select either an apple or an orange, represented with two identical circles on his chalkboard. The closest thing that this comedy of bad morals has to a hero is Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell), who galvanizes the student body with a promise to dissolve the school government in toto if elected class president.
- 4/23/2019
- by Charles Bramesco
- The Guardian - Film News
Beginning his career as a shockingly independent voice in the world of film during the rise of American Independent cinema in the ‘90s, Director Alexander Payne has seen the trajectory of his career lead him from indie auteur into the world of studio executives and awards season chatter. Starting off with the controversial abortion drama Citizen Ruth (shouts to the queen Laura Dern), Payne’s career has seen him leap from taboo breaking to award bait making with the likes of The Descendants and this year’s impossibly dreadful Downsizing. However, there likely hasn’t been a high in his career quite like his second feature, Election.
One of the greatest and most well known films of its period, Election tells the story of Tracy Flick, a precocious young student, running for Student Council, and the teacher hell bent on ruining what she feels is her rightful place at the top.
One of the greatest and most well known films of its period, Election tells the story of Tracy Flick, a precocious young student, running for Student Council, and the teacher hell bent on ruining what she feels is her rightful place at the top.
- 12/22/2017
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
We’ve all met Tracy Flick — the eager-beaver student that charms the right teachers, wins all the awards and corners the big scholarships. Alexander Payne’s witty, perceptive look at High School shows the predicament of a model teacher who can’t help but sabotage a pupil’s run for class president. Reese Witherspoon’s wholly original characterization scores big, and Matthew Broderick plays what is probably his best screen role.
Election
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 904
1999 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 103 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date December 5, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Phil Reeves, Molly Hagan, Delaney Driscoll, Mark Harelik, Colleen Camp.
Cinematography: James Glennon
Film Editor: Kevin Tent
Production Design: Jane Ann Stewart
Original Music: Rolfe Kent
Written by Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor from a novel by Tom Perotta
Produced by Albert Berger, David Gale, Keith Samples, Ron Yerxa
Directed by Alexander Payne
“What...
Election
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 904
1999 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 103 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date December 5, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell, Phil Reeves, Molly Hagan, Delaney Driscoll, Mark Harelik, Colleen Camp.
Cinematography: James Glennon
Film Editor: Kevin Tent
Production Design: Jane Ann Stewart
Original Music: Rolfe Kent
Written by Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor from a novel by Tom Perotta
Produced by Albert Berger, David Gale, Keith Samples, Ron Yerxa
Directed by Alexander Payne
“What...
- 12/2/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The Criterion Collection has unveiled its holiday slate, with “Election” leading the list of titles being released this December. Joining Alexander Payne’s classic in the Collection are a new digital transfer of Barbet Schroeder’s documentary “General Idi Amin Dada: A Self-Portrait,” “The Complete Monterey Pop Festival,” and the previously announced “100 Years of Olympic Films 1912-2012.” More information — and, just as importantly, cover art — below:
Read More:Criterion Collection Announces November Titles, Including Seminal Lesbian Drama ‘Desert Hearts’ and ‘The Philadelphia Story’
“Election”
“Perky, overachieving Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) gets on the nerves of history teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) to begin with, but after she launches her campaign for high-school president and his personal life starts to fall apart, things spiral out of control. In Alexander Payne’s satire ‘Election,’ the teacher becomes unhealthily obsessed with cutting his student down to size, covertly backing a spoiler candidate to...
Read More:Criterion Collection Announces November Titles, Including Seminal Lesbian Drama ‘Desert Hearts’ and ‘The Philadelphia Story’
“Election”
“Perky, overachieving Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) gets on the nerves of history teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) to begin with, but after she launches her campaign for high-school president and his personal life starts to fall apart, things spiral out of control. In Alexander Payne’s satire ‘Election,’ the teacher becomes unhealthily obsessed with cutting his student down to size, covertly backing a spoiler candidate to...
- 9/15/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
– By We Are Movie Geeks Staff –
Our long election season is finally coming to an end, and all that remains is to vote. And watch an election-themed movie!
Going through the list of movies about elections, the Movie Geeks found a lot more negative than positive ones, and more movies about manipulative people behind the candidate than inspiring candidates. While there is a lot of biting social commentary and satire, there are a few light and silly election movies too. So top cap off election season, here are a dozen election and political movies.
Don’t forget to vote!
The Campaign
Jay Roach, director of the true story political HBO films “Recount” and “Game Change”, goes for the big laughs in this farce about a lazy, scandal-ridden incumbent congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) who faces off against a bumbling, naive altruistic Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). This comic gem captures all the election craziness,...
Our long election season is finally coming to an end, and all that remains is to vote. And watch an election-themed movie!
Going through the list of movies about elections, the Movie Geeks found a lot more negative than positive ones, and more movies about manipulative people behind the candidate than inspiring candidates. While there is a lot of biting social commentary and satire, there are a few light and silly election movies too. So top cap off election season, here are a dozen election and political movies.
Don’t forget to vote!
The Campaign
Jay Roach, director of the true story political HBO films “Recount” and “Game Change”, goes for the big laughs in this farce about a lazy, scandal-ridden incumbent congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) who faces off against a bumbling, naive altruistic Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). This comic gem captures all the election craziness,...
- 11/8/2016
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“The sight of Tracy at that moment affected me in a way I can’t fully explain. Part of it was that she was spying, but mostly it was her face. Who knew how high she would climb in life? How many people would suffer because of her? I had to stop her, now!”
Election screens Wednesday, November 2nd at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) as part of Webster University’s Award-Winning Strange Brew Film Series.
When one writes biting satire, it logically makes sense that the person who is insulting should know his or her topic. This is why high school life has never truly undergone an appropriate cinema vision. We either get The Substitute or High School High Either way, it’s a sad collection of overdrawn clichés that don’t work anymore. This is where Election, Alexander Payne’s brilliant...
Election screens Wednesday, November 2nd at Schlafly Bottleworks Restaurant and Bar (7260 Southwest Ave.- at Manchester – Maplewood, Mo 63143) as part of Webster University’s Award-Winning Strange Brew Film Series.
When one writes biting satire, it logically makes sense that the person who is insulting should know his or her topic. This is why high school life has never truly undergone an appropriate cinema vision. We either get The Substitute or High School High Either way, it’s a sad collection of overdrawn clichés that don’t work anymore. This is where Election, Alexander Payne’s brilliant...
- 10/28/2016
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Alexander Payne has made a successful career out of losers. Whether it’s Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) in “Election,” Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) in “About Schmidt,” Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) in “Sideways,” Matt King (George Clooney) in “The Descendents” or Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) in “Nebraska,” the writer/director has crafted a dependable niche focusing on the […]
The post 9-Minute Video Essay Studies The Science Of Failure In Alexander Payne’s Films appeared first on The Playlist.
The post 9-Minute Video Essay Studies The Science Of Failure In Alexander Payne’s Films appeared first on The Playlist.
- 7/10/2016
- by Will Ashton
- The Playlist
Upticks in the volume or quality of movies about American politics aren’t particularly good news; historically, it’s a pretty reliable warning sign that things in the real world aren’t going so well. And so, in the 20 years since IndieWire launched, we’ve seen a barrage of great movies about American politics. Yay?
Watch enough of them, and it’s hard to imagine how this country actually functions (or endures). These films can form a grim echo chamber that might seem it leaves us with little to celebrate.
And yet, there’s real joy to be found if you know where to look. Many of these movies are comedies — our increasingly absurd times inspire increasingly absurd movies. “Wag the Dog” seemed like outlandish satire when it premiered in 1997, but 19 years later it feels like a stone’s throw away from the truth. On the other hand, if 1997 audiences...
Watch enough of them, and it’s hard to imagine how this country actually functions (or endures). These films can form a grim echo chamber that might seem it leaves us with little to celebrate.
And yet, there’s real joy to be found if you know where to look. Many of these movies are comedies — our increasingly absurd times inspire increasingly absurd movies. “Wag the Dog” seemed like outlandish satire when it premiered in 1997, but 19 years later it feels like a stone’s throw away from the truth. On the other hand, if 1997 audiences...
- 6/29/2016
- by David Ehrlich, Chris O'Falt, Liz Shannon Miller, Ben Travers, Eric Kohn, Steve Greene, Kate Erbland, Zack Sharf, Kate Halliwell, Sarah Colvin, Russell Goldman and Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
After a couple of major misfires ("Dead Man on Campus", "200 Cigarettes"), MTV Films goes to the head of the class with "Election", a sharp, funny, bracingly on-the-money high school satire.
A winning sophomore effort from "Citizen Ruth" director Alexander Payne, boasting a deliciously driven performance by ever-dependable Reese Witherspoon as a take-no-prisoners overachiever, this subversive suburban send-up is easily the best among the recent spate of teen screen candidates.
Given the glut of youth-oriented product, strong reviews and Witherspoon's solid fan base may not ensure a landslide victory, but enthusiastic word-of-mouth should translate into respectable boxoffice tallies.
Adapted by Payne and "Citizen Ruth" collaborator Jim Taylor from a Tom Perrotta novel, the picture is set against the backdrop of a heated high school election.
Having lent her indomitable spirit to nearly every committee and club at George Washington Carver High, scarily ambitious Tracy Flick (Witherspoon) has her sights set on the student government presidency.
A one-person Up With People, Tracy's latest quest appears to be a cakewalk -- that is, until mild-mannered teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick, in one of his best film roles in years) decides to intervene.
It seems Tracy, whose hushed-up affair with fellow teacher Mr. Novotny (Mark Harelik) effectively ended his academic career and marriage, is beginning to make similar advances in Mr. McAllister's direction. If elected, she'll be working closely with him in his capacity as student government adviser. Deciding to take action, McAllister persuades sidelined football hero Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), a bit of a dim bulb with a likable, "gosh, gee whiz" personality, to run against her.
Soon, a third hat is thrown into the ring when Paul starts going with the former crush of his vengeance-seeking, rebellious lesbian sister Tammy (delightful newcomer Jessica Campbell).
Meanwhile, McAllister seems to be spending more time doing chores for lonely Mrs. Novotny (Delaney Driscoll) than he is with his overlooked wife (Molly Hagan).
Payne handles the swirling comic activity with deft aplomb, playfully integrating voice-overs, sustained freeze frames and cleverly chosen musical cues to bitingly original effect. While the progressively twisted pace loses some of its adrenaline toward the end -- 10 minutes less could have made a noticeable difference -- it's a minor quibble.
With the unspoken but obvious joke of having Broderick return to high school as a meek teacher some 13 years after wreaking havoc as Ferris Bueller, only to meet his match in bad-girl-in-goody-goody-clothing Witherspoon, "Election" knows how to pick its sparring partners.
Top vote-getters also include James Glennon's assured camera work, which manages to achieve vivid results despite the high school corridor fluorescent lighting; Jane Ann Stewart's disturbingly familiar production design; and costume designer Wendy Chuck's knack for using a couple of short-sleeved shirts and ties to illustrate the extent of the average teacher's accessorizing skills.
ELECTION
Paramount
An MTV Films production
in association with Bona Fide Prods.
Director: Alexander Payne
Screenwriters: Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Based on the novel by: Tom Perrotta
Producers: David Gale, Keith Samples, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa
Executive producer: Van Toffler
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Jane Ann Stewart
Editor: Kevin Tent
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music: Rolfe Kent
Music supervisor: Dondi Bastone
Casting: Lisa Beach
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jim McAllister: Matthew Broderick
Tracy Flick: Reese Witherspoon
Paul Metzler: Chris Klein
Tammy Metzler: Jessica Campbell
Dave Novotny: Mark Harelik
Diane McAllister: Molly Hagan
Linda Novotny: Delaney Driscoll
Barbara Flick: Colleen Camp
Running time -- 104 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
A winning sophomore effort from "Citizen Ruth" director Alexander Payne, boasting a deliciously driven performance by ever-dependable Reese Witherspoon as a take-no-prisoners overachiever, this subversive suburban send-up is easily the best among the recent spate of teen screen candidates.
Given the glut of youth-oriented product, strong reviews and Witherspoon's solid fan base may not ensure a landslide victory, but enthusiastic word-of-mouth should translate into respectable boxoffice tallies.
Adapted by Payne and "Citizen Ruth" collaborator Jim Taylor from a Tom Perrotta novel, the picture is set against the backdrop of a heated high school election.
Having lent her indomitable spirit to nearly every committee and club at George Washington Carver High, scarily ambitious Tracy Flick (Witherspoon) has her sights set on the student government presidency.
A one-person Up With People, Tracy's latest quest appears to be a cakewalk -- that is, until mild-mannered teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick, in one of his best film roles in years) decides to intervene.
It seems Tracy, whose hushed-up affair with fellow teacher Mr. Novotny (Mark Harelik) effectively ended his academic career and marriage, is beginning to make similar advances in Mr. McAllister's direction. If elected, she'll be working closely with him in his capacity as student government adviser. Deciding to take action, McAllister persuades sidelined football hero Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), a bit of a dim bulb with a likable, "gosh, gee whiz" personality, to run against her.
Soon, a third hat is thrown into the ring when Paul starts going with the former crush of his vengeance-seeking, rebellious lesbian sister Tammy (delightful newcomer Jessica Campbell).
Meanwhile, McAllister seems to be spending more time doing chores for lonely Mrs. Novotny (Delaney Driscoll) than he is with his overlooked wife (Molly Hagan).
Payne handles the swirling comic activity with deft aplomb, playfully integrating voice-overs, sustained freeze frames and cleverly chosen musical cues to bitingly original effect. While the progressively twisted pace loses some of its adrenaline toward the end -- 10 minutes less could have made a noticeable difference -- it's a minor quibble.
With the unspoken but obvious joke of having Broderick return to high school as a meek teacher some 13 years after wreaking havoc as Ferris Bueller, only to meet his match in bad-girl-in-goody-goody-clothing Witherspoon, "Election" knows how to pick its sparring partners.
Top vote-getters also include James Glennon's assured camera work, which manages to achieve vivid results despite the high school corridor fluorescent lighting; Jane Ann Stewart's disturbingly familiar production design; and costume designer Wendy Chuck's knack for using a couple of short-sleeved shirts and ties to illustrate the extent of the average teacher's accessorizing skills.
ELECTION
Paramount
An MTV Films production
in association with Bona Fide Prods.
Director: Alexander Payne
Screenwriters: Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Based on the novel by: Tom Perrotta
Producers: David Gale, Keith Samples, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa
Executive producer: Van Toffler
Director of photography: James Glennon
Production designer: Jane Ann Stewart
Editor: Kevin Tent
Costume designer: Wendy Chuck
Music: Rolfe Kent
Music supervisor: Dondi Bastone
Casting: Lisa Beach
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jim McAllister: Matthew Broderick
Tracy Flick: Reese Witherspoon
Paul Metzler: Chris Klein
Tammy Metzler: Jessica Campbell
Dave Novotny: Mark Harelik
Diane McAllister: Molly Hagan
Linda Novotny: Delaney Driscoll
Barbara Flick: Colleen Camp
Running time -- 104 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 4/19/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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