Genres

Visitors Review

David Gritten 2012-05-16 17:29:56

Swing Vote is a benign but telling satire.

2012-05-16 15:26:46

Swing Vote

This was a new dvd and it came in good timing. A great movie. We played it for Library Movie night and everyone loved it.A friend of mind had seen it so I knew the product before I ordered it.Thanks

Kyle Smith 2012-05-09 06:50:26

A usually reliable indicator of a bad movie is this: It contains the credit 'Larry King as himself.'

Tom Long 2012-05-08 17:50:59

Swing Vote is an amiable lug of a movie, part public service announcement, part political satire and part good-old-boy comedy with a spritz of sentiment hanging over the entire enterprise.

Carrie Rickey 2012-05-06 07:42:42

A disarming political satire perfectly calibrated to the national mood and to its revitalized star.

2012-05-05 13:45:06

Brilliantly Executed Film Yet Understated

This movie turned out to be a downright treasure, some of the best writing in a film that I've seen in a long time. First, I'd have to say don't judge the movie by its trailer. Your first instinct is to think it's a movie about two presidential candidates whose very fate for the presidency is determined on the swing voter of a disinterested red neck. In fact, that's how the movie starts off, and Kevin Costner plays that role to hilt but authentically, but as the movie goes on and you get past the initial base plot, the movie starts bringing out some emotional scenes, and some of those scenes are downright tearjerkers. I expected this movie to be zany in a mad, mad, mad world fashion, but it didn't turn out that way at all. The writers did something different, fresh, heartwarming, emotional, funny and winsome with the movie. So I have to give it an A+.It was kind of nice to see Kevin Costner outside of his usual hero role, but that sense of Americana charm carried the film, even as a disinterested, dead beat dad hick. It had a redeeming quality to it, and he played the role well.Madeline Carroll, who plays his daughter, is absolutely phenomenal. The director's choice of cinematography and emotional shots gave it the right touch. I know loser stories are a big thing nowadays, but this one was done with the right charm and wit to it. I definitely recommend this movie. It definitely has a lot of of heart to it.

2012-04-28 14:57:14

An Enjoyable Mess

It's not a perfect film. But Kevin Costner is just likable. The scriptneeded a rewrite but overall I liked this flawed flick.It didn't try to be heavy handed and have a right wing or left wingpoint of view. It was a more apolitical political film. Like Mr. SmithGoes To Washington. But not as good.Swing Vote will probably have a second life on video and could be a hitthere.The movie cost only around $20 million to make and who knows how muchin marketing. So it won't have to gross too much to make it's moneyback.The cast adds a lot to the film as well. The always watchable StanleyTucci, Kelsey Grammar, an eternally svelte and young looking (for hisage) Dennis Hopper and newcomer Madeline Carroll as Coaster's daughter.It's a sweet imperfect movie about trying to get ordinary Americansinvolved in the political process.

badajoz-1 2012-04-28 04:21:48

Laugh at yourself, America

An absurd premise, but look at the 2000 Presidential farce in Florida,also see 'Recount' for absurd but real events! However, it is a gentlepolitical satire that uses the premise that a child knows better thanJoe SixPack, and presumably Sarah Palin! US politicians are fond ofsaying that they are standing up for Joe Sixpack on Main Street, butobviously nobody in the States wishes to see him portrayed on screen,particularly by someone who made 'Waterworld', see all the publicityinterviews for this film! Homer Simpson is acceptable because he is acartoon character,but not Kevin Costner. The movie is funny, quiteobservant, outrageous about politicians who change position to get avote, and political strategists who are only interested in winning -anyhow. And it has the courage to show a mom who cannot cope andrejects her daughter due to drugs! A heady brew that is not to thetaste of modern US audiences, who do not wish to see their reveredinstitutions poked fun at, or instances of where their country fallsshort, eg Iraq war films. They prefer rubbish like 'Tropic Thunder'which softens everything bad and makes things like war and Vietnamunbelievable. Dream on, global crises require realism, so learn tolaugh at yourself, America!!! Again!

2012-04-27 16:59:07

A Hilarious Look at Politics

Kevin Costner is absolutely hilarious in his role as Bud Johnson who is a broke, beer guzzling single dad living in a trailer with his daughter in an obscure town in New Mexico. Bud could care less about America's political system, because he's too afraid if he votes he'll be forced to be a juror. Enter his 12 year old daughter Molly superbly played by Madeline Carroll. Molly has ambition, drive and talent that her father lacks. Her dream is to be either a veterinarian or the Chair of the Federal Reserve. She totally believes in the political system. In fact, she registers her dad to vote. Molly has been assigned a school project in which the kids are required to report about their parents' experiences with voting. Bud scoffs at the idea. However, he later reluctantly promises to vote. On the day of the election, Bud is fired from his job. He self-medicates himself with alcohol and falls into a drunken stupor. So he never makes it to the polls. Because Molly really wants to write about voting, she decides to vote for her father. She tries to cast a vote but somehow it doesn't go through. Then through a bizarre set of circumstances, the fate of the presidential election falls into Bud's hands. His single vote will determine the next president.The movie is absolutely hilarious. Political junkies will enjoy the flip flops of the candidates as they vie for Bud's vote. Some of the scenes were politically incorrect and at times unrealistic. However, they drove home the point of the inanity of the political process. At the same time, the movie shows importance of voting. It is the one way that the common working person can help change the fate of our nation. Bud becomes a hero to the working class, because he represents their struggles. This movie is definitely a "must see."

2012-04-27 01:36:36

Big Disappointment!

The idea of a lazy, not-too-bright guy holding the single vote that will decide a Presidential Election is a terrific over-the-top premise for a classic political farce akin to THE GREAT McGINTY (1940), THE SENATOR WAS INDISCREET (1947) and DAVE (1993).Unfortunately, co-writer (with Jason Richman) and director Joshua Michael Stern opted to abandon the vast comedic potential in this wonderful premise and deliver a serious and rather mediocre melodrama instead. Or, perhaps neither one of them felt comfortable doing a comedy, since their imdb credits don't reflect any meaningful experience in that genre.If that is, indeed, he case, then one must ask: "Why choose a premise that will appear totally ridiculous if it isn't played for comedy?"The very few funny lines in this picture do not appear to be scripted, but improvised by Kelsey Grammer, Nathan Lane and Stanley Tucci, three talented performers, adept at playing comedy, who are totally wasted in this movie.That's not to say that Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper are not fine actors. They are, but neither one of them has that special "gift" for playing a comedic role, thus they are completely miscast in this picture.Costner's role, in particular, is a total misfire, both in conception and execution. For the first three-quarters of the movie, he's playing a lazy moron, then when his "big scene" comes along, he gives an impressive, inspirational speech that his character, as established, could never have written, let alone deliver.SWING VOTE is one of those movies that make me angry because, in the right hands, it could have been great.© Michael B. Druxman

Cynthia Fuchs 2012-04-26 01:53:40

Swing Vote's satire is consistently unsurprising, even if it's warranted.

Tricia Olszewski 2012-04-25 20:53:49

Does anyone really want to sit through the campaigning, scheming, and dissecting of fictional candidates when we're drowning in the minutiae of real ones? Especially with Costner?

2012-04-22 13:39:13

Bad Idea, Badly Executed

Contrary to what a previous reviewer stated there was a lot of badlanguage in this movie. It was not a clean family film. It was a stupid waste of time. I felt sorry for the young daughter who had to listen to the Kevin Costner's cursing but maybe that's just Hollywood. The idea of a young daughter having to take care of a childish alcoholic father was not heart-tugging, it was pathetic.

Brian Tallerico 2012-04-22 01:59:27

This politically driven writer wants to like any film where the basic message is "pay attention, people," but the critic in me can't give a movie with all the subtlety of a lead hammer a pass on thematic intentions alone.

2012-04-20 01:31:13

One man, one vote, no clue

Bud loves his precocious daughter, maybe even more since her mother left - but that's about the only positive thing you can say about him. He lives at the edge of society, working when he can, drinking when he can, thinking his day a success when no one in a suit or uniform knocks on his door. His fifth-grade daughter takes care of him more than he takes care of her, most days. Then, when her civics lessons really sink in, she decides that he needs to learn too, but her lesson goes too far. Unknown to Bud, he just became the most important man in the country. Silently, behind him, she becomes the most important little girl.The premise staggers towards credibility, vaguely ridiculous at first glance, but only a step or two beyond what actually happened in the Bush/Gore presidential election. Something cynical in me just can't believe that The Powers That Be would actually play as fairly as they're shown playing in this movie. For all the bad behavior here, these fictional candidates never descend to the genuinely dirty tricks that mar real-world politics.Leaving the political story behind, the family drama draws on too many grim truths in the US today. Too many people really do live on the edge, and some of them fall off it, taking their kids with them. This ends happily, or at least with the possibility of happy outcome. Despite its dismal start and some low moments, it never loses hope and never loses the faith that one man can make a difference, even if it's just to his daughter.-- wiredweird, reviewing the theatrical release

2012-04-19 09:43:30

Fair, with some good performances

I was a bit skeptical when I rented this movie. I thought it might be another left-leaning, Hollywood preach-fest. Actually, it turned out to be better than that. But I thought I would take a chance because I really like Kevin Costner's movies.Costner was good and Madeline Carroll (who plays the daughter) was terrific. Grammer and Hopper played dim-witted characters, but were good. The implausible script even draws one in. The issues addressed in the film were pretty balanced and not too stereotypical of Democrats and Republicans. Here's where I had a problem: the entire supporting cast who are playing themselves, as political pundits, were significant or well-known far left ideologues. None from the right. No balance, to really make the film take on added realism. The producer's and director's bias came through here. If you doubt this, consider the following appearances: Campbell Brown, Arianna Huffington, James Carville, and Larry King. And then there were Bill Maher and Chris Matthews, who had a running part throughout the movie as the person who brings the news to the audience. Wow, that's a stretch!Anyway, rent it and be ready for a fun and escapist movie that starts to open up the sore that we call politics. It also has some good performances. But don't expect it to come off as something that really reflects middle America (except for the location).

Louise Keller 2012-04-15 14:01:10

It's a predictable, feel-good fantasy in the mould of a political satire and the result is a good one.

marc 2012-04-14 20:52:46

If you buy into it, you'll love it.

Yes, the whole concept is absurd, and as a result the film willprobably take a lot of criticism, but I really enjoyed every minute ofit at an early screening this evening. I enjoy Kevin Costner's workexcept when he tries to go action hero and he is thankfully getting tooold for that unless he decides to buy growth hormone from Stallone orsomething. He was terrific in Mr. Brooks and he excels once again in atotally different role. It is the sort of character that he does best,more akin to his "Bull Durham" role.The real find of the film was Madeline Carrol who played his daughter.She joins Abagail Breslin, Dakota Fanning , and Anna Sophia Robb in acurrent crop of extremely talented tweeners.I enjoyed the entire cast and it was great to see Judge Reinhold forthe first time in awhile.The whole concept of how Costner's vote becomes so important is onethat is hard to swallow, but if you go along for the ride I promisethat you will have a great time.Late in the film Mare Winningham appears in perhaps the films mostpowerful though least appropriate scene. It is her only scene. Ibelieve it was used to hammer in a serious message though the scene hadlittle to do with the message of the film other than shift to a moresober mood. Sober may not have been the best choice of words todescribe the scene though.One of the nicer aspects of the film is its terrific music. A mix oftunes from several decades centered around Marshall Tucker's "Can't YouSee" really makes for a nice soundtrack.Ultimately the film has a great message about the importance of oneperson, one vote. And if it gets a lot more democrats(whoops I meanAmericans) to vote this year, then in my opinion it will have done agreat public service in addition to being solidly entertaining. And no,it does not have a liberal agenda, so all you Rush fans need to holdjudgment before slamming the film. Unlike this reviewer, the film isreally good at not taking a political stance. The film depicts allpoliticians as if they would stoop to anything to get elected, andgarners a lot of laughs with that premise.I want to add one last thing. I would call this a family movie exceptfor the profanity. I took my 9 year old precocious daughter and sheloved it, but there was actually a running joke about Costner'scharacter's love of swearing. So if a little swearing and somereferences to controversial issues (abortion, gay marriage, legal pot)are OK with you, bring the kids. Like I said, it does have a goodmessage.

2012-04-12 18:44:24

I'm in this movie

Kevin Cosner does it again. It's funny and well done plus I'm in it. Great for all ages but does have a few every day light curse words. Buy it!

Pete Hammond 2012-04-12 06:06:19

Newcomer Joshua Michael Stern directs his own screenplay (co-scripted by Jason Richman) with great confidence and a solid flair for biting political humor.