©Swing Vote - The Movie Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo credit: BEN GLASS KEVIN COSTNER (left), MADELINE CARROLL (right)
Rating: Popcorn
Bud Johnson is an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser who is coasting through a life that has nearly passed him by. The one bright spot is his precocious, overachieving 12-yearold daughter Molly. She takes care of both of them, until one mischievous moment on Election Day, when she accidentally sets off a chain of events which culminates in the election coming down to one vote…her dad’s.
-Synopsis courtesy of Disney
Swing Vote stars Oscar-nominated Kevin Costner (Dancing with Wolves, The Untouchables), Madeline Carroll (Resident Evil: Extinction, When a Stranger Calls), Oscar-nominated Dennis Hopper (Speed, Apocalypse Now), Nathan Lane (The Lion King, The Producers), Kelsey Grammer (X-Men: The Last Stand), and Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Terminal).
Swing Vote is a comedy that gives small town America the attention it lacks. When the presidential elections comes down to one vote, that of Bud Johnson, the media mobs his house to get Bud’s first words on who he’ll vote for. Is it necessary for the media to do this? Voting is a private choice. The movie mimics the choices we have to make when deciding who to vote for: pro-life vs. pro-choice, war vs. anti-war, tax cuts vs. tax increases, etc. Will we be swayed by the media when we cast our ballot in the next election? Could an election ever come down to one person? The answer is…never!
©Swing Vote - The Movie Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Photo credit: BEN GLASS MADELINE CARROLL
Swing Vote is funny at times while heart-warming at others. The film gets a little too serious at the beginning and ending while dragging a little bit at the end. What Swing Vote succeeds at doing is making us think of all the various elements involved in deciding who to vote for and that we should not let ourselves be swayed by the media or others. The film also sends out the message that voting is very important and that every vote counts.
Swing Vote is entertaining enough to make it worth seeing. It is not recommended for children as Kevin Costner’s language is not the best at times. I’d tell you who I’d vote for, but, “remind me again, who’s running”?
Theatrical Release Date: August 1, 2008
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Mr. C
I had the pleasure of previewing this movie in Montreal. I found it to be entertainig as well as thought provoking in light of the upcoming election. It showed the apathy in us as well as the responsibilty we have to vote. Don’t allow the media to make your decision, become an informed citizen then exercise your right to vote
Aug 6th, 2008
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