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Home  Reviews Current Release Movie Review: Swing Vote
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Saturday, 23 August 2008 |
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Swing Vote. Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci. Disney. Comedy. Written by Joshua Michael Stern, Jason Richman. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern.
FILM SYNOPSIS: Bud Johnson, an apathetic, beer-slinging, lovable loser, is coasting through a life that has passed him by. The one bright spot is his over-achieving twelve year-old daughter, Molly. She takes care of both of them, until one mischievous moment on Election Day, when she accidentally sets off a chain of events that culminates in the election coming down to one vote... her dad's.
 REVIEW: With all the rest of the megaplex theaters occupied by comic-book super heroes flinging CGI monsters about, it’s kind of nice to see a film that attempts to amuse and move audiences with dialogue, character development and story. It’s as close as we’ve come to satire in quite a while. And it contains what is going to become one of my favorite lines of all time. Molly admonishes her dad for his profanity, telling him he’s got to stop using Jesus’ name as a cuss word: “He’s a billion people’s Savior, you know!” Hope the rest of Hollywood is listening to that one.
I’m still in the dark about how such a voting phenomenon could happen, but it sets up some clever satire about ethics, responsibility and what it’s going to take to restore America’s greatness. (If that is to be.) The question is raised by film’s end, “If America is the wealthiest nation on earth, how come no one can afford to live here?”
The grownups all do well, but young Madeline Carroll steals every scene she’s in. She’s not precocious or the typical smart-mouth writers usually settle on to relay a kid character’s intelligence. Ms. Carroll has a true screen presence, expressive eyes, vulnerability and honesty. We’ll be seeing a lot more of this youngster.
Fly in the ointment: the first line out of Costner’s mouth contains God’s name followed by a curse. He uses the profanity several times throughout, often in front of his daughter. Of course, he’s a bum until he sees the light, so his cursing is supposed to be one of his character flaws. But the 4th Commandment in Exodus 20 doesn’t give moviemakers allowance to break the rule. What a frustration for a movie buff who also happens to be a Christian, as that profane expression or the use of Jesus’ name as a mere expletive tends to ruin the movie experience.
PG-13 (around 20 obscenities, mostly the s- and f-words; around six minor expletives; around 10 profane uses of God’s name or Christ’s; the lead is a heavy drinker until he straightens out his life). Running Time: 110 min. Intended Audience: Teens and above
For other free reviews from Phil Boatwright’s perspective, go to: previewonline.org.
(Disclaimer: These are the views of the author and not necessarily the staff of JesusJournal. Given the synopsis and content, concerned parents and moviegoers can decide if the new releases are suitable for viewing.)
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Words To Live By
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives." - The Bible: 1 John 1:8-10
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