Barnes & Noble

An insidiously funny black comedy, far superior to the book from which it was adapted, Election returns Matthew Broderick to the milieu that made him famous: high school. But this time he's not Ferris Bueller, and there are no days off for him. Broderick plays overworked teacher Jim McAllister, whose frustration with an unsatisfactory personal life colors his judgment and propels him into conflict with the school's Little Miss Prim. Insufferable overachiever Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon in a pitch-perfect performance), running for student body president, will do anything to beat popular, good-natured jock Paul Metzler (Chris Klein in his first major role), a reluctant candidate encouraged by McAllister. The battle lines are thus drawn, teacher against student, and it's anybody's guess who will emerge victorious. Director Alexander Payne, who co-wrote the script based on Tom Perotta's novel, re-creates with amazing fidelity the countless little cruelties, minor disappointments, and petty grievances that often make high school such an interminable ordeal. He's especially perspicacious in his portrayal of the feckless McAllister, whose tiniest indiscretions have a way of snowballing into massive crises. Ironic situations, tart dialogue, deftly limned characters, and dexterous direction are rarely found in such felicitous combination -- and that uniquely winning formula makes Election a minor masterpiece of modern comedy.

All Movie Guide

A crime family flirts with democracy, leading to a fierce gangland battle in this stylish crime drama from Hong Kong director Johnnie To. With over 50,000 members, the Wo Shing Society is one of the largest and most powerful Triads in Hong Kong, and when the leadership committee needs a new head man, they decide to put the matter to a vote of their underlings. The two candidates are Lok (Simon Yam), a cool leader who doesn't rattle easily, and Big D (Tony Leung Kar-Fai), who has a short temper and is prone to violence. After Uncle Weng (Wong Tin-lam), an elderly and well-regarded member of the Triad, gives Lok his endorsement, he wins by a landslide, which does not sit well with Big D's uncertain temper. A ceremonial walking stick which is given to the Wo Shing Society's elected leader has disappeared, and Big D will stop at nothing to make sure it stays out of Lok's hands; meanwhile, the Hong Kong police are determined to bring down the Triad, and Big D ends up behind bars. The Wo Shing Society falls into chaos as in-fighting threatens to tear the Triad apart before the walking stick can be returned and Lok can be inaugurated as their new chief. Election (aka Hak Sewui) was a major box office success in Asia, and the story continued the following year in Election 2 (aka Hak se wui yi wo wai kwai). Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 842498030462
• Source: TARTAN VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Editions: Subtitled
• Time: 1:37:00
• Sales Rank: 30,720

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