Election (1999)

Election (1999) is a sharp, dark comedy directed by Alexander Payne, adapted from the novel by Tom Perrotta. Set in a suburban high school, the film offers a satirical look at politics, ambition, and moral hypocrisy through the lens of a seemingly innocent student council election. With its biting humor and cleverly layered narrative, Election has become a cult classic, praised for its smart writing and standout performances.

The story centers around Tracy Flick (played by Reese Witherspoon), an overachieving, highly ambitious student at Carver High School. Tracy is determined to win the school’s student body presidency—an outcome she sees as inevitable due to her stellar academic record and tireless involvement in school activities. Her relentless drive, however, rubs many people the wrong way—especially Mr. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a popular civics teacher who views her as manipulative and self-serving.

Driven by a mix of personal resentment and a sense of moral duty, McAllister tries to derail Tracy’s campaign by encouraging a popular but easygoing football player, Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), to run against her. Paul, naive and good-hearted, becomes an unlikely rival. Complicating matters further is Paul’s rebellious sister, Tammy (Jessica Campbell), who joins the race out of spite after being dumped by her girlfriend—who has since started dating Paul.

As the election spirals out of control, the story unfolds through multiple character perspectives, each offering conflicting versions of truth, blame, and motivation. McAllister’s increasingly desperate efforts to undermine Tracy lead him to cross ethical lines, ultimately unraveling his own life and reputation. Meanwhile, Tracy remains steadfast—both admired and feared for her unapologetic ambition.

The film explores themes of power, corruption, gender politics, and the illusion of fairness in democratic systems. Tracy Flick is both a symbol of youthful determination and a critique of blind ambition, while McAllister represents the flaws of adult authority, consumed by petty grudges and moral failure.

Stylistically, Election uses voice-over narration, freeze-frames, and ironic juxtapositions to heighten its satirical tone. Witherspoon’s performance as Tracy earned widespread acclaim, and the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Election is more than a high school comedy—it’s a razor-sharp commentary on politics and human behavior, packed with wit, insight, and unexpected emotional depth. Beneath its comic surface lies a cautionary tale about ego, resentment, and the costs of getting what you want.