SWING VOTE is modeled like an old-fashioned Capra comedy along the lines of MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON. That's what it's modeled after. Unfortunately, this film lacks the one thing that makes Capra films so endearing: a sympathetic, likeable hero. The hero in this film is Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), a trashy drunk who somehow manages to keep his daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll) away from CPS even though she's the one who wakes him up in the morning, makes him breakfast, and drives him home when he's too drunk to function. That's the one main flaw in this otherwise charming movie: the hero is a jerk. The plot of the movie picks up speed when Bud realizes that the entire Presidential election has come down to him. Bummer for the nation. There's no violence or sexual content, however, language is constant and consists of countless "d**n"s, "s**t"s, "hell"s, and one barely audible "f**k". The presidential candidates and their advisors are portrayed as greedy people who seek only to further their own partisan agendas. And, the hero is a trashy drunk. Really the only good role model in the film is Bud's daughter, who is smart, honest, and patriotic. Drinking is to complete excess. There are also several hilarious but off-color segments mocking gay marriage, illegal immigration, and abortion. SWING VOTE is a fine comedy that has some good performances and several hilarious moments. However, it does not live up to its expectation as a smart, funny comedy. The weak link of this film is at its center, and unfortunately, no amount of gags or Kelsey Grammar can change that.