1999, 1hr 40 min., Rated R for sexual content and profanity. Dir: Alexander Payne. Cast: Reese Witherspoon (Tracy Flick), Matthew Broderick (Mr. McAllister), Chris Klein (Paul Metzler), Jessica Campbell (Tammy Metzler).

Finally, a movie set in those strange high school days that comes out in 1999 and doesn't have a party or prom for the main plot-twisting or plot-deciding finale. Then again, Election is rated R, so the vast majority of high schoolers aren't supposed to see it anyway. Which is good for those of us who are older and ready for a mature film about teens. This is a picture that will have people repeating quotes from for years to come.

Of course, its not really mature, just kind of wickedly funny. Also, despite what you think, it doesn't center around the over-achieving Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), but also spends much of the film exploring Mr. McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and the brother-sister bi-polar combination of football-hero Paul (Chris Klein) and maybe-lesbian Tammy (Jessica Campbell) Metzler.

The three teens end up running against each other for Student Council president, after Mr. McAllister decides he's had enough of goody-two-shoes Tracy and her "its my turn to be president so it looks good on my resume" attitude, and convinces good-guy-ultra-popular Paul to get involved and run for president. Then, after Tammy's would-be girlfriend instead gives Paul the physical pleasure all guys desire, she runs for president to get back at him, while he never figures out why, but nonetheless is supportive of his younger sis.

Tammy also becomes the early frontrunner after her speech in which she promises to eradicate the student government, running as the outsider candidate who doesnt' make the false promises of Tracy or Paul. When she's suspended for causing unruliness, her response is exactly what high schoolers think: "Being suspended is like a three day vacation. It's like your dog peeing on the carpet and giving him a treat."

Mr. McAllister is the dedicated teacher all students love. He's been at the school 12 years, received "Teacher of the Year" three times, attends all athletic events and is the student government advisor. But after he makes one mistake, then two, his life makes a quick tumble, all because of Tracy Flick. Not that he's bitter. We see how his personal life becomes a shambles after a fleeting moment of stupidity, and the consequences are seen almost immediately following.

Which is another thing I loved. This film is a people-watcher's (like myself) dream. The characters would act nice when talking amongst themselves, but then we would see the hate or distrust felt towards one another. The way director Alexander Payne (I know, I never heard of him, either) shot it, with frequent voice-overs from the various lead characters, and freeze-frames to make a point about how one character feels about another, gives an insight into human behavior that is rarely seen on film. It's a smart movie, and keeps you involved. And when Tracy got angry and stressed-out, the music was perfect to express her rage from being the "I have to be the strong woman and perfect so that I can be successful and satisfy my mother's dream" young woman. Yet when Tracy falters, her tears into her pillow and the way her mother reacts make you feel guilty for disliking her in the beginning.

Another element that gave me such pleasure was its use of foul language. I'd rather not use expletives, and prefer films to keep them to a minimum unless absolutely necessary. In Election, I have never seen a film that used expletives so well. They are in key points that give the viewer a shock and elicit painful laughter. More than once a guy behind me would yell "What the...!" when such an instance would occur. Me, I just think it, that guy felt the need to voice it for the rest of us. Surprisingly, I didn't care.

But I digress. Go see Election and you'll see.