Election

Dir. Alexander Payne. 1999, 103 mins. 35mm. With Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell. A suburban Omaha high school presidency election reveals the petty self-interest and essential juvenilia of everyone involved, from teens to their adult supervisors, and becomes a pretty persuasive metaphor for the hopeless political system in Payne’s instant classic comedy, adapted from the novel by Tom Perrotta. Witherspoon unforgettably embodies fiercely driven “go-getter” Tracey Flick, whose single-minded ambition drives her political science teacher Mr. McAllister (Broderick, magnificently pathetic) to derangement. Already dealing with personal crises, “Mr. M” begins a surreptitious campaign to thwart Tracey’s rise. Classically structured, insightful, merciless, and jam-packed with finely tuned characters, Election remains one of Payne’s purest and funniest commentaries on human fallibility. 

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.