By: debbie lynn elias
Kevin Costner is this generation’s Jimmy Stewart. He is an everyman. An affable, amiable and likeable guy with a killer smile. A guy who relates to the common folk. He is also a multi-talented filmmaker and actor who embodies the very best that Hollywood has to offer, usually giving way to a Frank Capraesque look at life that warms the heart and brings a smile to an audience’s face. Heading into darker territory last year with “Mr. Brooks”, Costner now returns to his roots of intelligent gentle cynicism (and that killer smile) with one of the most honest – and entertaining – looks at the U.S. political machine and the public’s right, and duty, to vote with SWING VOTE.
Earnest “Bud” Johnson is about as American as they come – right down to his apathy about voting, politics and the problems facing the average Joe as he struggles (albeit with a lot of help of a beverage named “Bud”, as in “Weiser”) to survive in this “land of the=2 0free.” A single father, the light of his life is his daughter Molly, whose maturity, spirit and intelligence belies her 12 years. Molly is, for all practical purposes, the adult in this family. She gets dad up and gets him off to work (despite his daily hangovers), makes his breakfast and his lunch, tells him what to think, what to do, when to shower, when to shave, and when to vote. And she still finds time to write award winning essays about the civic duties of Americans, especially when it comes to the voting process and the imminent national election. And did I mention she aspires to be either a veterinarian or Chairman of the Federal Reserve?
But, despite their devotion to each other, Bud just can’t seem to get it together. Behind on his bills, phone turned off, dishes undone, double-wide trailer in complete disarray and no food but for eggs that Bud brings home from his job at the egg factory, Bud is a constant disappointment to and constantly disappointing Molly.
The best example of what our forefathers intended for this country, Molly gets increasingly anxious as election day approaches, endlessly reminding her father that not only is it his duty to vote, but experiencing the voting process with him is essential to a report she is doing for school. But Bud, losing his job on election day is beyond downtrodden and apathetic and heads for the bar instead of meeting Molly at the polling place. Disappointed yet again, Mol ly, however, is determined that her father will vote.
As election night draws on, the Presidential race is a tie, only to be determined to the 5 electoral votes from New Mexico. And wouldntcha know it – a voting malfunction leads the Secretary of State and Attorney General to the door of Bud Johnson. Seems a “glitch” in the system kept his vote from being tallied. Bud Johnson is the lone deciding factor in the presidential election.
So, with 10 days to go before Bud must re-cast his vote, the tiny town of Texico, New Mexico – and Bud Johnson – fall prey to the press, presidential candidates Boone and Greenleaf and predictably cut-throat campaign managers alike, as they and the country try to “impact” the vote of Bud and the fate of our nation.
Kevin Costner is pitch perfect as Bud Johnson. Scruffy, unkempt and perpetually hungover, his cynical disillusion with the “system” is personified by his appearance, yet he brings a vulnerability to the character that is embraceable, heartwarming and charming, very much like that of Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” As Bud’s luck turns and good fortune and notoriety take hold, Costner exudes a childlike innocence and awe at things like Air Force One or meeting the President or singing with his band, that are tethered to the ground with the frailty of a kite string , just waiting to be set free.20His performance is a joy to behold. But that individual joy is surpassed by Costner’s chemistry not only with Kelsey Grammer and Dennis Hopper, but more particularly with Madeline Carroll who steals every scene from every actor with her portrayal of Molly. Already a veteran performer at age 12, Carroll goes toe-to-toe with the best of them and bests them each at every turn. She is never more compelling though, than her one scene with the incomparable Mare Winningham who plays Molly’s deadbeat mother. Carroll will steal your heart.
What can I possibly say about this supporting cast but for awesome, incredible, fantastic. From Kelsey Grammer as President Andrew Boone to Dennis Hopper’s Donald Greenleaf to riotous performances from Stanley Tucci and Nathan Lane as Boone and Greenleaf’s campaign managers, Martin Fox and Art Crumb, respectively, the only negative thing I can say is that Tucci and Lane should have had more screen time. Tucci’s tacitly nuanced take on Fox is effective and engaging and never moreso than when going head to head with Madeline Carroll. Likewise for Lane who brings his own patented double-edged freneticism to Crumb. The film cries out for more of their campaign antics. Another standout performance comes from Charles Esten as Secret Service Agent Lewis who seemed restrained because of his minimal, yet pivotal, screen time.
One of the keys to the fun of this film is the20use of actual news reporters, political commentators and entertainment magazine personalities whose mere presence adds untold layers of wry wit and humor to the film. And what about Costner’s own band, Modern West, who not only perform in the film, but provide a few of its songs. But, be on the lookout for a hysterical turn by Judge Reinhold as Bud’s friend Walter.
I do, however, think casting could have done a bit better than Paula Johnson as news reporter/potential love interest Kate Madison. She lacked a convincing chemistry with Costner and seemed forced and insincere in her relationship with Madeline Carroll’s Molly. To be blunt, she is the hanging chad in SWING VOTE.
Written by Jason Richman and Joshua Michael Stern, the premise is fresh, funny and timely. But for a few faux pax’s the characters are well developed and the scenarios and situations created, albeit seemingly over-the-top at first blush, in this day and age and election year, seem more plausible than not. They incorporate the very issues facing us in today’s election and leave no group or platform out of the mix. Their mastery of sarcastic cynicism in the wake of analyzing the American populus is dead on, providing political and social commentary in a fun, self-deprecating manner.
Kevin Costner has so much faith in this project that he used his own money to finance it;20a gamble that I fully expect to pay off given the content, characters and quality of this film. As he said, “This particular movie wasn’t going to be made by anyone, so I financed it.” He also had some very well-placed faith in director Joshua Michael Stern, who, in only his second start out of the gate captures the Capraesque essence and innocence of America and her people. With lush, sweeping cinematography by Shane Hurlbut (once of the best sports themed cinematographers in the biz), under Stern’s direction, from the opening sequence I was hearing the descriptive glory of “America the Beautiful” in my head (despite John Debney’s moving scoring) as Americana unfurled before my eyes. And yes, there are some visuals so stirring that your own pride will stir – even above the laughter of the audience. I must say, though, that I expected a little tighter editing from Jeff McEvoy who has three scenes in particular that are a little too long in the tooth.
Costner himself believes that SWING VOTE echoes the emotion and sentiments of “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams.” I have to agree. So, come August 1, cast your vote for
SWING VOTE. It’s a winner!
Bud Johnson – Kevin Costner
Molly Johnson – Madeline Carroll
President Boone – Kelsey Grammer
Donald Greenleaf – Dennis Hopper
Art Crumb – Nathan Lan e
Martin Fox – Stanley Tucci
Directed by Joshua Michael Stern. Written by Stern and Jason Richman. Rated PG-13. (100 min)
