On November 4, more than 100 million voters will cast their ballots for the next President and Vice-President of the United States.
But what happens when the outcome of such an election rests uneasily on the shoulders of a man who takes more interest in the contents of his beer glass than pressing social concerns such as poverty, education and intolerance?
Swing Vote is a gent
le and surprisingly sweet comedy that lampoons the electoral process, as seen through the eyes of factory worker Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner).
While the rest of his compatriots go to the polls, Bud seeks out his favourite bar stool.
In despair, his precocious 12-year-old daughter Molly (Madeline Carroll) secretly votes in his place, only for the electronic ballot to be spoilt by a technical glitch.
His verdict, it transpires, will break the political deadlock between the Republican incumbent, President Andrew Boone (Kelsey Grammer), and charismatic Democratic challenger Donald Greenleaf (Dennis Hopper) – and hand one of the men the keys to the White House.
A media circus decamps outside Bud's trailer front-door in the dustbowl town of Texico, New Mexico, as rival campaign managers Art Crumb (Nathan Lane) and Martin Fox (Stanley Tucci) search for the "one issue that matters to this guy".
Swing Vote pokes fun at a political machine which is already the butt of countless jokes.
The ending feels contrived and rather cheekily sidesteps the obvious dilemma of having to declare favouritism by portraying both candidates as decent, intelligent, caring men full of compassion.
Artistic licence indeed.
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