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This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Blistering performances.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I can understand fully why this Kevin Costner movie fell so far under the radar, if the man has any sense he put it there!It's not that it's a bad film, it's just a mediocre one with one of the most offensively ridiculous concepts of all time.So we have Bud, a redneck and all round failure at life (Especially to his daughter). His daughter registers him to vote but then due to a fault with the voting booth he becomes the "Swing" voter. Namely this hick has the single handed decision who becomes the President of the United States.Yep, THAT dumb.Despite a great cast including Costner, Patton, Tucci, Hopper & Grammer this is a foolish movie. Yes it is highly accurate in it's presentation of politics but lacks in the comedy and simply isn't as dramatic as it aims to be.One for hardcore Costner fans only.The Good:Bill MaherSolid castThe Bad:Laughable representation of the Republican partyConcept is ridiculousToo much FOX "News"Things I Learnt From This Movie:The writers were high on weed when writing the script and somewhere along the way someone was high on crack for giving it the green light!

This is a little gem that absorbs so much of our zeitgeist and angst, and turns it into a surprisingly entertaining picture. On the surface, it sounds like it should be a stinker, yet there are some interesting and touching twists to the plot, especially toward the end. Costner plays a Homer Simpson dumb-ass, yet Swing Vote avoids falling into the Dumb and Dumber genre, thanks in part to his "Lisa Simpson" daughter, played to perfection by Madeline Carroll, and to the genuineness of Costner's performance. It also avoids falling into stereotypes of politicians and their operatives, though it sometimes comes close. The candidates, at least, do have second thoughts and feelings. The screenplay builds characters deftly. The movie is a bit long and slow, but to good effect. I am tired of hyper, zipping movies. The scenes with Bud and Molly fishing, with the President and Bud just sitting outside on chaises, need the slow pace to convey atmosphere. And it says that Bud is the sort of guy who just likes to enjoy a quiet life. He isn't a bad guy, and in an earlier decade with a better economy, might have done just fine; as such he represents millions of Americans. The basic premise is more that a little improbable, of course, of an election decided by one vote. And yet we see stories about this on the local level often enough. It is movie as fable, much like the classic "Dave," a point alluded to by John Debney's score when it echoes the fairytale effects of James Newton Howard's score from "Dave." Both are about an everyman who gets to call the shots when he becomes king for a day. We get to imagine ourselves in their shoes. Spoiler alert: Swing Vote has a fantastic premise, and as such, we viewers are treated to the spectacle of seeing how far the writers and director can go out on a limb before it collapses. It never does. We wonder how it will end, who Bud will vote for, will he get a job, will he get the girl? Wisely, but sadly, they don't take us that far, leaving it to the viewer's imagination. It is nice to have an ending that leaves things to think about.There are so many echoes in this movie of life and art, particularly the bizarre Dade County endless recounts of the 2000 Bush-Gore election. That was a case of truth being stranger than fiction; I still have trouble believing that a U.S. Presidential election was virtually stolen by someone who lost by more than a half-million votes.Swing Vote is sort of the Wag the Dog of electoral politics, with the transmogrification of reality into PR media reality, as every word Bud utters leads to a near instantaneous rewriting of the candidates' positions through television ads addressed to Dear Bud. It also brings to mind The Lathe of Heaven, where the character's dreams and wishes instantaneously transform the world. Both Dave and Swing Vote are heirs to the Capra tradition of film populism -- and both have a hefty list of real-life cameos.Swing Vote is a reductio ad absurdum of everyday poll-driven swing-voter politics to their ultimate absurdity: a single voter. It is amusing and frightening. But Molly and reporter Kate Madison save the day by rubbing Bud's nose in the reality of some of the thousands of letters he has received from people who are hurting, who care passionately about the issues. Finally, Bud takes his responsibility seriously, ending the movie on a note of hope. If Bud is the Everyman, then what it is saying is that if every voter were to take his responsibility to weigh the issues as seriously, perhaps the candidates, too, would respond with substance. For they and their handlers care, but under the imperative to win must cater to an electorate that does not think deeply, who, like Bud, are probably in a beer haze while voting -- if they do.Six years on, Swing Vote has become a sleeper, a potential classic that most viewers have overlooked. I highly recommend it. It's message is as timely as ever. Most of all, it is a fun, entertaining movie.

In the comedy "Swing Vote" Kevin Costner plays Bud Johnson a slacker and immature guy who holds in his hands the most important decision of all: elect who's gonna be the next President of the United States. That's right. He's the "swing vote" and he has to break the tie between the 2 presidential candidates (played by Kelsey Grammar and Dennis Hopper). And these two running politicians try to convince the only person in the world who can make history by just voting. On the center of the story there's Bud's daughter (played by Madeline Carroll), a very conscious and smart kid who wants his father to make up his mind about the subject because she knows he doesn't care about anything. And she cares a lot about politics!The story is interesting but it is a little bit slick and not much funny. Political comedies tend to be very wise, sometimes dark, other times really funny and "Swing Vote" it's not any of those. it doesn't have the sarcasm of "Bulworth" or it's not funny like "Dave" or so amazing like "Wag the Dog". It has more dramatic qualities than funny ones. It played with politicians and it played with Republicans and Democrats but in the end the movie remained neutral and I think it was a good and a bad choice. Good because it proved a point; bad because it let people guessing some things. The most notable thing that was floating around and missing here was the point of view of the voters from all the 50 states, their voices were missing here and they were necessary. The battle between the candidates was reduced to conquer Bud and gain his vote and these two guys start to change their promises of campaign to obtain Bud's vote. What amazes me is that no one complained about this policy, no one complain about their candidates treason? No anger in knowing that their representants exchanged promises and propositions? The writers missed a good subject during this part and missed the opportunity to create an interesting and thought provoking subplot (but perhaps a more wiser writer notice that and create a great film from here). It is a very watchable film, with great performances from Costner, Madeline the little girl, and Stanley Tucci, Nathan Lane, Paula Patton, George Lopez, Grammar and Hopper. The whole discussion of the importance of voting was very good to see but in a country like mine when you are forced to vote and people tend to act like Bud (a vast majority I'm afraid to say) it might not be too much suitable nor even be funny. The only vote I expect: This review is useful to you? Thank you! 9/10

The supremely improbable notion that one middle-aged slacker might hold the supreme say in who will become the next president of the United States is basic premise of this film. Yet, once you accept this far-fetched situation, Swing Vote becomes a comedy that has its poignant moments and contains a message. Kevin Costner turns a great performance as Bud, a single father who has trouble getting up in the morning, let alone keep a job or take care of his young daughter. Madeline Carroll plays his daughter Molly, who has been forced to grow up to take care of herself and her dad. She's idealistic, engaged yet fragile due to the insecurity of having a difficult home situation.What makes Swing Vote work is that, much like a modern day Fairy Tale, it is at time funny, at times intensely dramatic. The situation is implausible but the problems are real. Bud shows signs of alcoholism and we clearly sense that Molly doesn't always get even the basics of three healthy meals and a minimum of parental supervision. The swing vote situation serves as the catalyst for Bud to be confronted with himself and his ways. He has 10 days before voting and deciding single-handedly who will be the next President. The two candidates fly in with an army of advisors, security and transform the small southern town Bud lives in into a circus under heavy media presence. There are scenes in Swing vote that are rather sad. The film doesn't hold anything when it comes to Molly's difficult situation with her parents for instance. Yet the film contains a few laugh-out loud moment when both republicans and democrats are willing to turn their traditional platforms totally upside down to please Bud and get his vote. It's just hilarious seeing the republican president putting the environment as a priority, and watching the democrat candidate turn pro-life. Many social issues are mentioned, but always brushed over. The writing and direction making sure not to take too much of a stance on the issues and simply recognizing they are meaningful and relevant. If Swing Vote has a fault, it is perhaps to push too far and make us believe everybody involved, not just Bud, is transformed by this experience. On top of bud, several politicians and journalists also begin to act in ways that demand you suspend disbelief and it all wraps up a little too nicely.At its heart, Swing Vote is about looking beyond your selfish needs and caring. Caring for others around you, caring about issues and recognizing that, although you may only be one person, you can make a difference. The movie is certainly not meant to be taken literally but the metaphor is valid.This is an enjoyable film and young actress Madeline Carroll is somewhat of a revelation. She probably has a bright future in Hollywood should she improve on that. As for Costner, after the amazing Mr. Brooks, this is a second film that may signal a genuine comeback for this actor who was once synonymous with quality projects.