Originally posted on kssunews.wordpress.com on 9/28/2012
Those who are tried of the mudslinging and finger pointing of today’s politics will enjoy The Campaign, which attempts to deliver a satire on the ways politics are handled in society. With the upcoming election, diving into the theater and watching two well-known comedians exchange blows is appealing. Go and see the movie for the two main characters, who are the yin and yang of each other but end up with the same problems.
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play bitter rivals in the recently released film The Campaign. The storyline depicts two men, one an incumbent career politician, the other an amateur with a childish demeanor and no prior knowledge of modern-day politics, and their battle to become a Congressman for North Carolina’s 14th district.
Ferrell portrays career politician and incumbent Congressman Cam Brady, a Democrat who has become accustomed to running for office unopposed. He has perfected his style and technique for his campaign with catch phrases and public appearances with minorities and swing voters. His antics show his charismatic appeal to the general public and his inhibitions and secrets, which would otherwise destroy his sterling reputation.
Galifianakis plays Marty Huggins, a graceless but lovable tour manager who is convinced by his father to run against Brady in the election. His demeanor and personality contrasts Brady’s confidence and suave: Huggins is a socially awkward man with an affluent love for his two Chinese Pugs, which overshadows his affection for his own family. His actions in the beginning of the race hindered his progress, but after the help of Tim Wattley, portrayed by Dylan McDermott, he begins to garner support from the public.
The two main characters played off of each other very well, with Brady taking advantage of Huggins’ strange nature to persuade the public that he is a Communist and unfit for office. Huggins counters with attacks of his own, causing Brady to be arrested for DUI and losing points in approval ratings. As the story progresses, the stakes are raised, turning from a comedy to a storyline with a little darkness. The two candidates undertake harsh measures to bring down one another, and I found myself laughing less. One decides to makes things personal and attempts to destroy the other candidate’s family, in a rather extreme manner. This causes a retaliation and turns into a series of back and fourth attacks including assault and adultery. The exchanges yield laughs and awkward reactions of “SERIOUSLY?!” but are still entertaining.
By the time Election Day came around towards the end of the film, I was mildly interested to see the outcome, and I was thrown off by the movie’s change in tone from a comedy to a preachy satire of our political system. Nonetheless, the film has its moments and illustrates how politicians starting out with good intentions can be persuaded by money and power to forget their original intentions. To close it out, the movie has its entertaining moments and original jokes, and if you don’t mind some statements about our political system, watch the film.
I give it 7.5/10
I would rent it, but not a stay in my movie collection.
Originally posted on kssunews.wordpress.com on 9/28/2012
Those who are tried of the mudslinging and finger pointing of today’s politics will enjoy The Campaign, which attempts to deliver a satire on the ways politics are handled in society. With the upcoming election, diving into the theater and watching two well-known comedians exchange blows is appealing. Go and see the movie for the two main characters, who are the yin and yang of each other but end up with the same problems.
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play bitter rivals in the recently released film The Campaign. The storyline depicts two men, one an incumbent career politician, the other an amateur with a childish demeanor and no prior knowledge of modern-day politics, and their battle to become a Congressman for North Carolina’s 14th district.
Ferrell portrays career politician and incumbent Congressman Cam Brady, a Democrat who has become accustomed to running for office unopposed. He has perfected his style and technique for his campaign with catch phrases and public appearances with minorities and swing voters. His antics show his charismatic appeal to the general public and his inhibitions and secrets, which would otherwise destroy his sterling reputation.
Galifianakis plays Marty Huggins, a graceless but lovable tour manager who is convinced by his father to run against Brady in the election. His demeanor and personality contrasts Brady’s confidence and suave: Huggins is a socially awkward man with an affluent love for his two Chinese Pugs, which overshadows his affection for his own family. His actions in the beginning of the race hindered his progress, but after the help of Tim Wattley, portrayed by Dylan McDermott, he begins to garner support from the public.
The two main characters played off of each other very well, with Brady taking advantage of Huggins’ strange nature to persuade the public that he is a Communist and unfit for office. Huggins counters with attacks of his own, causing Brady to be arrested for DUI and losing points in approval ratings. As the story progresses, the stakes are raised, turning from a comedy to a storyline with a little darkness. The two candidates undertake harsh measures to bring down one another, and I found myself laughing less. One decides to makes things personal and attempts to destroy the other candidate’s family, in a rather extreme manner. This causes a retaliation and turns into a series of back and fourth attacks including assault and adultery. The exchanges yield laughs and awkward reactions of “SERIOUSLY?!” but are still entertaining.
By the time Election Day came around towards the end of the film, I was mildly interested to see the outcome, and I was thrown off by the movie’s change in tone from a comedy to a preachy satire of our political system. Nonetheless, the film has its moments and illustrates how politicians starting out with good intentions can be persuaded by money and power to forget their original intentions. To close it out, the movie has its entertaining moments and original jokes, and if you don’t mind some statements about our political system, watch the film.
I give it 7.5/10
I would rent it, but not a stay in my movie collection.
Originally posted on kssunews.wordpress.com on 9/28/2012
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