Swing Vote
One thing that the movie fortunately understands is its star, Kevin Costner. Despite the fact that much of his professional career has been tarnished due to some very bad choices throughout the 90s, I still can find him likable in down to earth everyman roles. Here, he plays Bud Johnson, a middle-aged blue collar man whose life is in shambles. He lives in a trailer with his serious-minded young daughter, Molly (Madeline Carroll), his debts are piling up, he recently lost his job, and he is so irresponsible to the point that Molly often comes across as the parent in their relationship, making breakfast for him and practically running the house when he's too drunk to even stand up. Molly has an interest in politics, and is trying to convince her dad to vote in the upcoming Presidential election. When Bud lets her down by not even showing up at the voting center, the girl decides to take matters into her own hands, and secretly votes for him. Unfortunately, a computer glitch erases the vote. In the coming days, it is revealed that the numbers for the next President are too close to call, and it all rests on Bud's single vote once his identity is quickly tracked down by a rising young TV anchorwoman named Kate Madison (Paula Patton).
Bud's run down trailer in the middle of the New Mexico desert suddenly becomes the center of the world as the news media, curious onlookers, and members of the two presidential campaigns swoop down almost overnight. The two competing nominees, current Republican President Andrew Boone (Kelsey Grammer) and Democratic opponent Donald Greenleaf (Dennis Hopper), are advised by their respective campaign managers (Stanley Tucci and Nathan Lane) to do whatever it takes to get Bud's vote and confidence. They try catering their views to his wants, and even resort to bribes to win his favor. As the situation escalates out of control, Bud finds his sudden celebrity status confusing, while young Molly only wants her dad to listen to the common people once letters from all over the nation start piling in, reminding him of what he should be standing and voting for.
In terms of political stance and satire, Swing Vote is about as sharp as a butter knife. I do like that the film does not take sides. It is neither pro or anti Republican and Democrat, and both candidates are treated relatively the same, even if both individuals come across as being easily swayed and all too willing to flip-flop with whatever the situation demands. The movie obviously wants to be a simple, laid back, and almost Frank Capra-style fable about a common blue collar everyman who never cared much about anything, who suddenly finds himself in a position where his voice and decision can affect the lives of millions. The movie doesn't try to make any startling statements about politics, and doesn't say anything that hasn't been said a hundred times before. While this is not all bad, I sometimes wanted the movie to get a little bit more fearless sometimes. It seems so determined not to truly offend or say anything challenging in any way, shape or form, that it almost seems to be holding itself back. The movie has some fun with some clever and witty campaign commercials with both candidates switching their views based around whatever Bud happens to say in a news interview. This obviously alienates their past supporters, and I wish the film had gone more in depth with this idea, as we never get a true sense of how these two men are hurting themselves by redesigning their entire campaigns on the whim of a single man.
Despite the main emphasis on the election, the movie is actually strongest when it steps away from the campaign race, and focuses on Bud and Molly's life at home. This is what gives Swing Vote most of its heart and charm. While there are a few scenes that seem somewhat emotionally forced, such as Molly running away and discovering what her estranged mother has become over the years, these scenes are genuinely heartfelt and seem more honest than any of the political stuff. The fact that their family life plays a big role in the film itself is mainly what helps lift the film up above its flaws. Bud and Molly are written as real people, and despite their vast differences in personality, we can sense true love and chemistry between the two. Bud is written as a man who has pretty much given up on the world, with only his daughter left. Molly is a girl smart beyond her 10 years who refuses to give up on her dad, even if he has already given up on himself. The screenplay by Stern and Jason Richman (Bad Company) gives them enough moments together that not only do we get a feel for their relationship, but it becomes the strongest aspect of the film, carrying us through its two hour running time.
A big part of this appeal has to do with Costner and rising young child star, Madeline Carroll, who after this movie, I can easily see joining the ranks of Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin at the top of the child actor heap. Carroll has had some small roles in past films such as Resident Evil: Extinction and The Santa Clause 3, but this is her first major character, and she not only manages to keep up with Costner, she actually surpasses him in more than a few scenes. I'm anxious to see her again, and to see her career build from here. Speaking of Costner, this is one of his most natural performances in years. While he occasionally comes a bit close to playing up the "aw shucks" good old boy routine a bit too far, he never loses the heart of his character, and makes Bud into someone we want to see change for the better, just like his daughter does. With these great performances and material, it's a shame that the outside stuff involving the election and an underdeveloped subplot concerning TV reporter Madison never seems to go anywhere.
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