Just in time for the election? Nope. Released right after the election? Afraid not. "Swing Vote" is a humorous take on a close presidential election, where one man's vote will decide the next president. Sadly, the film was released too early in theatres – Aug. 1, 2008 - and arrived too late on DVD (Jan. 13) to take advantage of the incredible interest in this last election. Kevin Costner's imperfect character from middle-America has a very "Joe the Plumber" feel. For the political fan who wants a humorous take on the election process and those who enjoy family entertainment with a little depth, "Swing Vote" may be the ticket for you.
Costner is Bud Johnson, a hard-drinking, hard-working, single father from New Mexico, with a good heart, but a tendency to screw things up. His daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll) lives with her Dad and tries to keep him motivated and on track. When she does a school project about democracy, she makes Bud promise to cast a vote in the upcoming election. A vote is cast in Bud's name but a mistake is made at the electronic polling booth. The vote is so close that it comes down to a single state, a single county, and one contested vote to swing the election in either candidates' favor. When the press catches wind of this man's right to recast his vote, he is inundated with reporters, lobbyists, and politicians. Can Bud pull his act together enough to make his daughter and his country proud?
Costner's performance elevates this film above the standard political satire. He takes this everyman persona and cranks it up a few notches, exposing a deeply flawed person. His likeability intermittently springs up in the picture, between moments when the audience - along with his daughter - is embarrassed or disappointed by his actions. Carroll acts as the intelligent, more responsible party in the relationship but her naivety leads to her being let down. The men playing the presidential candidates, Kelsey Grammar (TV's "Frasier") and Dennis Hopper ("Land of the Dead") have fun with their roles, flipping their platforms upside down to appease one man. It leads to the cynical question: Who is running the campaigns - the candidate or his group of advisors?
"Swing Vote" purposely tries not to be heavy-handed in its satirizing of the American political process. The primary appeal of the story comes from its focus on a loving but strained father-daughter relationship. To that extent, the film is a surprisingly endearing success.
Rated PG-13 for language.
Rated PG for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor and language.
