Swing Vote (2008)

Swing Vote (2008): Dir: Joshua Micahel Stern / Cast: Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Kelsey Grammar, Dennis Hopper, Paula Patton: Drama comedy about our importance as individuals. Plot regards an election whereas the elected President rests upon a vote that didn't register. Kevin Costner plays Bud, a single parent whose daughter casts his vote when he is too drunk. Due to complications with the voting machine his vote becomes the deciding factor. This is an intriguing concept and director Joshua Micahel Stern does a fine job blending comedy and drama. Often contrived and the ending may disappoint viewers. Costner is charming in his portrayal of a father who is suddenly swept from his ordinary lifestyle and given a spotlight that will strike him as flattering and an opportunity to take advantage of its benefits. Madeline Carroll is a gem as his daughter who seems to be bright beyond her years. Kelsey Grammar and Dennis Hopper are superb as candidates who both attempt to bend Costner's vote to their favor. Paula Patton is featured as a news reporter after the insight details of this media story. The film never attempts to paint either candidate as a villain, which allows the film an honest edge. While Costner has had his share of career duds, this presents one of his more engaging performances. It has a great theme regarding our place in our country. Score: 8 / 10

Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) is an apathetic slacker drunk who can't even keep his job at the chicken egg factory. It's 2004 presidential election, and he promises his daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll) that he will vote for her school project. He has a bug about jury duty, and is not happy to vote. On election day, Bud gets fired and drink away the day. Molly faithfully waited for him at the polling station. She eventually sneaks in to try to vote for him. However, the machine's cord was pulled and her vote was lost by the machine. The election is a close one, and it all boils down to an unaccounted vote from Molly in place of Bud. Now everybody is pitching Bud for that decisive vote.This is a civics lesson more than a comedy. Bud is not a likable guy. Then you add all those political wonks and TV people. It becomes an avalanche of wonky characters all geared to the heavy handed message of every vote counts. The best thing about this movie is Bud's relationship with his daughter. If it was more about that, the civics lesson could be learned with a lighter touch. Madeline Carroll is the best one of them all. More than anything, this movie suffers from a general political fatigue. It's much better as a movie about a struggling father daughter relationship.

It takes real guts to mock something, and simultaneously celebrate it. In this 'ere movie, we have spoofy election broadcasts that rip on political correctness: immigration, gay rights, abortion... that kind of thing. But on the other hand, Costner's daughter's boyfriend is black. His love interest is a Latino. And as for the slushfest finale when both presidential candidates discover their conscience, and Costner becomes 'the voice of the people' with bags and bags of mail from disadvantaged Americans, YERK is all I can say. That's the sound of me with my hand down my throat trying to stop breakfast from making an unwelcome reappearance. If you must know.Still, I don't wanna rag too much on Swing Vote... It's pleasant to watch, with a big cast giving it their all, and some shreds of intelligent humour poking out from the foliage. Don't expect any big guffaws, but we are occasionally reminded of the levels of desperation parties will resort to just to get a seat in power. This isn't exactly big news though, so if you're looking for sparkling political repartee along the lines of Yes Minister, go elsewhere. If you fancy a relatively heartwarming (if somewhat predictable) almost two hours in the company of a good ol' boy and his charming daughter, then step right up. 6/10

The subject matter here is a little too much to digest. During a presidential election, New Mexico with its 5 electoral votes, has a tie in the popular vote and one voter must vote again, and as a result of this one vote, the presidency shall be decided.Besides having a ridiculous concept, our voter, Kevin Kostner, should never have been allowed to re-vote for reasons that you will see if you bother to see this film.His young civic daughter is a take-off of Abigail Breslin. (Surprised that she didn't land this part.)Naturally, both political parties wine and dine this potential voter. From his concerns, each political party is forced to accept a different viewpoint on the issues that they usually take.