Kevin Costner plays Bud Johnson, father and under-achiever. He a likable guy but a general screw up in every way except when it comes to his daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll). Molly may only be twelve years old, but she is smart as a whip living with both eyes open mature in her years. On Election Day, she reminds Bud that it is his civic duty to vote. In fact she registered him herself and tells him she will meet him at the polling place after school. Later that day Bud is fired from his job and proceeds to get drunk at one of his local hang outs. When he doesn’t arrive, Molly decides to take matters in her own hands and sneaks in and tries to vote for him herself. However, as she is in the voting booth, someone turns off the power and the vote doesn’t count. When the election is revealed and it comes down to a single vote, the authorities come knowing on their door. According to the rules, since his vote was incomplete he has the right to re-cast it. A media circus ensues and the two candidates race to get Bud’s vote.
Swing Vote works because of the all-star cast. Kevin Costner’s Bud really isn’t likable except Costner some how manages to pull it off. Even at his worst, missing his daughter’s - bring a parent to school day, you still like him. Of course Madeline Carroll as Molly steals the show out of all the veteran actors, as the above average twelve year old who just might care too much.
Along with them we have Kelsey Grammer as the President, his advisor Stanley Tucci, Dennis Hopper as the Democratic candidate, and Nathan Lane as his advisor. All do a top notch job that helps to make the film a lot of fun to watch. You really want to see more of Tucci and Lane go more head to head and have more screen time.
Along with the film we have a few extras as well. There’s a commentary track with director Joshua Michael Stern who does his best to stay clear of any political party favoritism. The deleted and extended scenes also have a commentary option track. These four deleted scenes are worth checking out just for fun, although I was surprised there wasn’t a cut scene where the Bud character meets Willie Nelson. It’s suggested in the film and then never happens (Bud is a huge Willie fan and in fact was once in a all Willie Nelson cover band called the Half Nelsons). Speaking of music, there is a moment in the film that seems to be set up to allow Costner and his band (Modern West)to play in the film. With that in mind, there is a music video of them performing a song entitled "Hey Man, What about You?" The song’s pretty bad but maybe it’s just not my type of music. Last there’s a making of featurette entitled "Inside the Campaign: The Politics of Production."
Swing Vote is a cute enough film that at times is a little preachy. But maybe it needs to be address. Most American are guilty of taking advantage and not appreciating how lucky they are. Perhaps it will make you think about actually looking into the issues the next time a election comes your way. Or maybe you are a fan of Kevin Costner and if that’s the case go check out Swing Vote. Then pick up the under-rated Mr. Brooks he made a few years back – great film.
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