by Mark Rhoads
Imagine a campaign where an incumbent GOP President running for re-election endorses unusual positions for his party such as gay marriage and wetlands protection while the Democratic candidate makes wild flips on his previous positions on abortion and immigration. This fantasy world exists in a new comedy called Swing Vote, with an all-star cast including Kevin Costner, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, Judge Reinhold, Paula Patton, young Madeline Carroll, George Lopez and others. There are great cameo roles for Richard Petty, Willie Nelson, and a dozen nationally known political journalists who also play themselves.
I was invited by the Disney company to see the Washington premier of this movie last night. The extremely convoluted plot is beyond contrived. The entire presidential election depends on the electoral votes of New Mexico and they in turn hinge on the legal right of just one voter in one tiny county to re-cast a ballot that was spoiled by a mistake of election authorities. Kevin Costner, a sometimes working poor-derelict who lives with his grammar school-age daughter in their trailer, is overwhelmed when both large parties find out who he is and design multi-million dollar campaigns in just ten days to influence his one vote. The film seems to be very even-handed poking fun at both parties and there are some terrific sight gags. Child actress Madeline Carroll does a terrific job and carries this film. I wish the film were about 10 minutes shorter because it was not edited as tightly as it could be but it is a very cute movie that is worth seeing. It opens Friday night in Illinois.
