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Swing Vote: one man, one vote, one OK movie

Roger EbertUniversal Press SyndicateAspen, CO Colorado
In this photo provided by Disney, Kevin Costner stars as Bud Johnson in comedy, "Swing Vote." (AP Photo/Disney, Ben Glass) ** NO SALES **
ASSOCIATED PRESS | Disney

Kevin Costners new movie is about a presidential election that literally comes down to one man, one vote. The vote belongs to Bud Johnson, an alcoholic egg inspector from New Mexico, who finds himself the focus of the eyes of the world. Costner plays him as a hungover loser who cares about only one pair of eyes, those of his 12-year-old daughter, Molly. When he realizes he has become an embarrassment to her, he begins to change.The idea of an entire election coming down to one mans vote is admittedly just a tad difficult to accept. But the movie makes a plucky stab at explaining how it comes to happen and it almost sounds plausible. Everything depends on Molly. From the opening scene (Bud too hungover to get Molly to school) we see shes trying her best to be loyal to him, although hes a daily problem. This day, as it turns out, is Election Day, and she is determined at all costs that her dad will turn up at the polling place and vote.It doesnt turn out that way. Bud gets laid off at the egg works, gets drunk, passes out. Molly waits impatiently at the polling place, where he promised to turn up on time. He doesnt, but an ingenious plot strategy makes it appear that he did, and that his vote was not counted, and when the whole election comes down to that one vote in New Mexico, which is tied, well, then youve got your movie.The media descend on the town like a locust swarm. TV cameras and reporters are camped permanently outside the Johnson house trailer. Molly, who knows what really happened, keeps it to herself. And we meet people like Kate Madison (Paula Patton), the ace TV reporter who makes friends with Molly, and Sweeney (George Lopez), who will do anything for a scoop.We also meet the two presidential candidates. Yes, they both fly to New Mexico to court Bud Johnsons decisive vote, and promise him the sun, the moon and the stars. Kelsey Grammer is the Republican incumbent, President Andrew Boone. Dennis Hopper plays the Democratic challenger, Donald Greenleaf. Each has a campaign manager: Nathan Lane for the Republican, and Stanley Tucci for the Democrat. Oddly enough, there are times when the managers seem to have more ethics than the candidates.The movie is a genial comedy, but it has significant undertones. Like some of Frank Capras pictures (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington comes to mind), it shows a little guy up against the establishment except this time its a little girl, encouraging her dad to do the right thing. This works, because if theres one thing Bud Johnson doesnt want to do, its embarrass Molly.It all comes down to a crucial speech before his deciding vote. Its a Capraesque speech, incorporating big ideas into everyday language, and Costner delivers it with dignity, avoiding various pitfalls easily imagined. The speech doesnt make anyone very happy, but thats the idea. Kevin Costner makes a convincing everyman, even handling the transition from drunk to diplomat in one week flat. The turning point comes when he and the president relax in lawn chairs, contemplating Air Force One, and Bud pours out a margarita instead of drinking it. Sober, he turns out to be a pretty smart guy.Molly always knew that. Young Madeline Carroll is splendid in the role, which during some stretches of the film is really the lead. Shes clear-eyed and outspoken, has faith in her dad, and despite his drinking loves living with him. Once we get a glimpse of her mom (Mare Winningham), we understand why. The whole film is strongly cast, and I especially liked Stanley Tucci as a campaign manager who has steered one campaign after another into defeat.The movie is determined to be bipartisan. It doesnt take sides. Both candidates would sell their mothers to win the election. Thats the message, really: Our political system doesnt encourage politicians to tell the truth, but to say what they think voters want to hear. And the press assists them in that process. The movie is actually surprisingly realistic in portraying reporters on the campaign trail. Theyre a bunch of jackals, with the exception of sweet Kate Madison, who sacrifices the scoop of a lifetime because she has a good heart. Thats one detail I really couldnt believe.

Swing Vote Touchstone Pictures presents a film directed by Joshua Michael Stern. Produced by Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner. Written by Jason Richman and Joshua Michael Stern. Photographed by Shane Hurlbut. Edited by Jeff McEvoy. Music by John Debney. Running time: 119 minutes. Classified: PG-13 (for language). Rated: Three stars.

Laura YaoThe Washington PostYou watched the trailer before Mamma Mia! or whatever and groaned. Kevin Costner, you thought, what have you wrought upon us now?In Swing Vote, one guy decides the outcome of a presidential election. He doesnt know or care about politics, but the candidates stoop to new lows to court him. Bud, oblivious and unshaven, laughs merrily through it all.The movie asks its audience to suspend disbelief on one thing: its entire premise. But if youre willing to jump that logistical hurdle, youre home free. The ridiculous setup is just the skeleton for something more substantial; the flesh of the movie is made of the funny, tender interactions between Bud and his daughter, Molly.Though it manages to avoid the one-liners and cheap gags that political comedies of the past have relied on, Costner still lays it on thick as Bud, flailing and grunting in his role as a dumb, drunk redneck.Bud becomes a political pundit overnight, and were meant to take his transformation as some sort of panacea. The larger issues that the movie tosses out there (poverty, immigration, health insurance) are swept under the carpet by one of Buds goofy grins. There are also some racist riffs on Mexican immigrants.