KINORAFIELD GUIDE TO FILM
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1999 · 103 min · R

Election

Directed by Alexander Payne · Comedy, Drama

Election (1999) is a Comedy film, directed by Alexander Payne set in Omaha, New York City, and Washington, D.C. during the 1990s. It runs 103 minutes and is rated R.

A neo noir, with a satirical and darkly comic tone. Themes of greed & ambition, power & corruption, and obsession play out through multiple perspectives.

Composer
Rolfe Kent
Cinematography
James Glennon
Cast
Matthew BroderickReese WitherspoonChris KleinJessica CampbellMark HarelikPhil ReevesMolly HaganDelaney Driscoll

The world of this film

Premise & themes

Premise
Themes
Greed & AmbitionPower & CorruptionObsession
Structure
Multiple Perspectives
Tone
SatiricalDarkly Comic

Shape

Protagonist
EnsembleAntihero
Pacing
Measured
Based on
Pure Fiction
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