Rama’s SCREEN

SWING VOTE is probably Kevin Costner’s decent job in many years. As a political satire, I think the movie does  well in ridiculing and making fun of the election process, the campaign and how politics is nothing but… a dirty, nasty game, one that you can easily lose your soul in. It exaggerates all those components and puts in the element of what being an American is all about. Yes, your vote alone probably doesn’t make a big difference in choosing the next president. I’m not a conspiracy freak, I just happen to be aware of what’s called electoral vote. But this movie is a comedy of daring you to imagine, what if that were the case.

“Swing Vote” follows the story of Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser, who is coasting through a life that has passed him by. The one bright spot is his precocious, over-achieving twelve-year-old 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.

Don’t expect a laugh riot because it certainly doesn’t have many gut busting scenes that will crack you up so bad your side will hurt. Not much of that, I can guarantee you. But it does have certain moments that will either put a smile on your face or make you chuckle… humor done at the expense of trailerpark ignorant rednecks, immigrant jokes, and attacks on current policies and issues ala late night show comedy.
If you’re into that kind of stuff, then you’d probably find this movie at the very least, interesting.

Kevin Costner hasn’t done anything worth watching in many years, but having seen Mr. Brooks and now this, I’ve come to the conclusion that he may not be good at choosing good projects and he may not be Will Smith or other stars who can draw box office money these days but.. nonetheless…he’s still good at acting.
His portrayal of the character Bud Johnson, who supposedly represents average American working class jo-blo everywhere is quite entertaining to watch.
His character is an embodiment of those of us who’ve gotten sick and tired of hearing how presidential candidates keep making promises they know they can’t keep.
He’s those of us who have lost faith in the system that’s supposed to be fighting for the people, but showing different results instead. He just doesn’t care anymore.

I would have to say that I’m floored by the performance of child actress Madelline Carroll who plays Kevin Costner’s character’s daughter in this movie. People talk about Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin… well, I say to them, be careful! Because Madelline Carroll is the next big thing.

Playing the Republican candidate and the Democrat candidate are Kelsey Grammar and Dennis Hopper. It’s rather funny how the story makes them seem like they have conscience. I don’t know how real life politicians still have that these days.
The attack ads are silly funny. They certainly are creative and the movie definitely reminds us how attack ads are signs of frustration and about desperate times call for desperate measures. They are signs that doing whatever it takes to win, according to some, is more important than doing the right thing and stay true to the principle.

Overall, SWING VOTE may not be the best Political satire movie of all time, but it’s way better than John Cusack’s  War, Inc.
If you miss watching the Kevin Costner back in his glory days in the 80s. This might be the closest you’ll ever get to rekindle those memories. It’s a comedy that’s also a family movie but the language migh be a little too strong for the younger viewers.
It’s too good to be true, but in today’s America… this is something we can dream and hope to someday happen in reality.

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film