I rented this with my dad, and watched it a few weeks ago. It is a very good film, great style of film-making, and amazing acting and writing, but it is ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR KIDS. This movie has a sex scene almost every 2 minutes. They discuss it, Tracy Flick (Witherspoon) has a sexual affair with a teacher... Great movie but a LOT of sex.
Election
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Dark high school comedy is best for older teens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Election was written by Kelly Kessler
Parents need to know that in this dark comedy, almost everyone engages in bad behavior as they set out to win at all costs. This movie also includes questionable sexual situations (statutory rape, extramarital affairs, and teenage sex), foul language, and an irreverent attitude toward religion. All in all, both teens and adults appear untrustworthy and unethical. Older teens may be mature enough to watch this film.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about issues relating to ethics. Throughout this movie, characters make unethical choices. Parents may want to ask their kids to identify those actions. They may also want to use this time to discuss issues related to school. Does this film remind teens of their own school experiences? Do they know people like the characters? What are politics like at their schools?
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More on Election
What’s the Story?
After years of joyfully teaching high school, Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) -- every kid's favorite guy -- finds his professional and personal lives spinning out of control. After the school over-achiever Tracey Flick (Reese Witherspoon) raises her hand one too many times, McAllister sets out to foil her plan to win the position of student council president. Challenged (at the behest of McAllister) by a clueless yet lovable jock (Chris Klein) and his antisocial lesbian sister (Jessica Campbell), Flick will stop at nothing to win her student council seat. Both teacher and success-craving student make suspect choices as the plot speeds toward an end that will decide the fates of its dueling leads.
Is It Any Good?
ELECTION is simply one in a line of quirky comedies directed by Alexander Payne (Citizen Ruth [1996], About Schmidt [2004], and Sideways [2004]). Like his other contributions, this dark comedy combines fascinating character types, tragic life events, and dark comedy to produce painfully poignant images of contemporary life. The film does a fine job of presenting high school though the jaded eyes of both teacher and student, while throwing in a selection of stereotypes for good measure.
A turning point in the careers of three of its main performers, Election transformed Broderick's career as he shed Ferris Bueller's sweater vest for the shirt and tie of the "man." Additionally, this film launched Witherspoon into A-list stardom and catapulted the career of Klein, whose portrayal of the lovable jock led to leading roles in such high profile films as American Pie (1999) and 2 (2001) and We Were Soldiers (2002).
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Alexander Payne
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1999, DVD release: 10/19/1999
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and language, and a scene of drug use
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1999, DVD release: 10/19/1999
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and language, and a scene of drug use
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title off and give it
good movie, but NOT FOR KIDS
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I rate this title on and give it
Dark, but funny
Good movie, good acting and interesting concept of student vs teacher.
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