Swing Vote
With the Presidential Election quickly approaching, there’s usually a slew of propaganda films to go along with the patriotic festivities. We can often count on Oliver Stone to deliver a life-like drama that depicts the larger-than-life times of one of our nation’s many historical figures. Sadly, Stone’s family drama about our current President, simply titled “W.” isn’t expected to come out until election time. What we didn’t expect was a comedy that pokes fun at apathetic Americans and the all too common figures we only get a glimpse of in the media.
Starting the inevitable train of this year’s political films is the comedy “Swing Vote;” a film that surprisingly has a lot more to say about our country than we might expect. Starring Kevin Costner as the ultimate slacker named Bud, “Swing Vote” tells the story of a presidential election that, in head scratching fashion, comes down to the single vote of one American citizen. Even though anyone with any degree of knowledge on American politics knows that the Presidency is not decided by an immediate popular vote, “Swing Vote” insists on telling a deeper story. We quickly realize that Bud, without the help of his politically educated fifth grade daughter, knows nor cares nothing about what happens on Capitol Hill.
While having a story that is unbelievably far fetched, the draw to “Swing Vote” is its cast. With a long list of names ranging from Costner to Nathan Lane, there’s an actor to connect with for a wide range of movie-going audiences. It’s immediately apparent that Costner delivers one of his most charismatic performances to date, but there’s more importance in the people he comes in contact with.
“Swing Vote” isn’t simply telling us to go vote this November. By creating characters straight from the realm of our own life, we learn more about the lives Americans and their reasons for apathy. While showing presidential candidates that flip-flop on every decision in order to please an unknowing man, there’s a bittersweet connection that realized between those who run our country and those who live it. “Swing Vote” attempts to outline a comment on each of these characters, pulling out their faults as well as their successes.
Even though the film fails to find the right blend of satire and drama, it admirably never takes sides. As long as you’re willing to get past some destructive assumptions made by the filmmakers, “Swing Vote” is a comedy with heart and redemption that’s working to get your vote.
Swing Vote
Rated PG-13 for language
Runtime: 100 min.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammar, Dennis Hopper, Stanley Tucci, and Nathan Lane
Directed by Joshua Michael Stern
