1999 - Election

Movie of the Year: 1999

Election

Why Election Still Wins in 2025

Election (1999), directed by Alexander Payne, is more than a high school satire—it's a prescient political commentary that resonates even more strongly today. In this episode of the Movie of the Year podcast, our panel dissects the themes, characters, and real-world connections that make the 1999 film Election a lasting cultural touchstone. Whether you're a cinephile, a political junkie, or just love smart storytelling, this episode is for you.

Tracy Flick: Ambition Misunderstood

Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Tracy Flick has become iconic—a name synonymous with hyper-ambition. But is she the villain the culture made her out to be? Our hosts dig into Tracy's motivations, the pressures she faces, and why she remains such a lightning rod in discussions about women in power. We also explore how Tracy has been unfairly weaponized in political commentary and what her character says about gender dynamics in leadership.

Related Link:

• Tracy Flick and the Misogyny of Ambition – The Atlantic

Multiple Narrators: A Study in Subjectivity

One of Election's standout narrative techniques is its use of multiple unreliable narrators. The podcast explores how shifting points of view from characters like Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and Tracy Flick enhance the story's depth. By hearing each character's internal monologue, viewers are invited to question their judgments and reconsider the "truth" behind every action.

This layered storytelling approach reflects the film's central themes of bias, self-deception, and moral relativism—perfect fodder for a podcast discussion.

The Real-Life Politics of Election

At its core, Election is a biting political allegory. Our panel draws parallels between the film's student election and the real-world electoral process, both in 1999 and today. We discuss how the film anticipates the rise of personality-driven campaigns, performative outrage, and the weaponization of narrative control.

From Clinton-era scandals to 21st-century political polarization, Election serves as a surprisingly accurate mirror of American democracy. We also examine the cultural aftershocks of Tracy Flick's character, who continues to be cited in political discourse more than two decades later.

External Resources:

• IMDb: Election (1999)
• Roger Ebert’s Review of Election

Revisiting the 1999 Season: American Beauty in the Spotlight

As part of their ongoing mission to revisit the films of their first 1999 season, The Taste Buds also take a fresh look at American Beauty in this episode. They reflect on how the film has aged, explore its themes in the context of today's culture, and consider how its reputation has evolved. This bonus discussion offers added value for long-time listeners and new fans exploring the best films of 1999 through a modern lens.

Final Thoughts: Election Still Gets Our Vote

More than two decades after its release, Election remains eerily relevant and endlessly entertaining. Through nuanced performances, clever storytelling, and bold satire, Alexander Payne crafted a film that continues to spark debate. This episode of Movie of the Year unpacks all that and more, providing listeners with a thoughtful and engaging breakdown of why...