Election: Can You Say “Tricky Dick?”

Rated R

A biting, satirical look at over-achievers, student government, the electoral process and the need to win at all costs, Election proves a worthy follow-up to director Alexander Payne’s dark and powerfully funny Citizen Ruth.

Reese Witherspoon (Pleasantville) plays high school senior Tracy Flick, a determined and tough go-getter on her own fast track to success. President of every club she ever joined, Tracy probably set her sights on the presidency of Omaha’s George Washington Carver High sometime in elementary school — and woe to anyone who interferes with her plan. Think the Bad Seed all grown up; that’s Tracy.

She almost meets her match in teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick). Three-time winner of Carver’s Teacher of the Year Award, McAllister loves his job and his students — but he never met a student like Tracy before. For both personal and altruistic reasons, McAllister decides Tracy needs some competition and recruits kindhearted but dim Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), to run against her. Nursing her own secret agenda, Paul’s rebellious sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell) throws her hat into the ring as well.

Witherspoon continues to amaze. Her every inflection and expression suggest “get out of my way or I’ll steamroll over you.” Broderick, as the in-over-his-head do-gooder, and Campbell, as Tracy’s surprisingly canny competition, turn in outstanding performances. And Campbell’s fighting words, “Who cares about this stupid election?” perfectly capture what most of us thought in high school.

Payne never draws in black and white, which is what makes Election so compelling. You might not like Tracy or her methods, but does that make conspiring against her OK? McAllister stresses ethics in the classroom, but when pressed, does he practice what he preaches?

Election won’t leave you rolling in the aisle, but its dark comedy will get you thinking.

Joan Fuchsman