Swing Vote

Five-Word Synopsis: Bowser Versus Frasier, For President.

Alex: The title of this movie is the perfect litmus test for how cynical you are about the movie industry. If your first thought on seeing the title was, “This is probably going to be a toothless, politically-illiterate movie about an election that comes down to JUST ONE VOTE!, just like that Onion article,” then you have absolutely no faith left in humanity, and should try to stop being such an asshole all the time.

Oh, also, you’d be totally correct.

But maybe it won’t all be bad. Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper are pretty good choices for fictional presidents, Arianna Huffington apparently makes an appearance, which is confusing but potentially sexy, and Nathan Lane’s character is named Art Crumb, a name that I am unashamed to say made me smile just a bit.

But, let’s be honest with ourselves: F+

Counterpoint

Jim: Spoiler Alert- Kelsey Grammer is going to win. He is earnest and introspective, and Dennis Hopper does not have any dimly lit open heart moments. Dennis Hopper only gets chastised by his (ex-)wife (Kira Nerys?) and tries to shoot skeet but falls down.

Also, I love how Hollywood is so formulaic that, even when they have a high concept movie with not only a very solid, if preposterous, hook—Kevin Costner IS Swing Vote— but also the absolute perfect release window in the two months leading up to the Election Day, they still have to make it also about Swing Vote’s relationship with his daughter and how this responsibility makes him a better dad.

Alex is right, this will probably be better than it has any right to be, except that right is the 12th Amendment, and that’s like the most limp dick amendment. So: Fart noise.

What We Have Learned

Alex: If you’re politically savvy enough to know what a caucus is, you’re probably better off avoiding this one. It’ll probably just give you a headache.