Alexander Payne didn’t make many films, but the ones he made, are undoubtedly great. “Election” is a dark comedy, starring Matthew Broderick as high school teacher, who’s in a midlife crisis and who’s life is getting out of control because of one specific student - Tracy Flick, played by Reese Witherspoon.

Tracy Flick is running unopposed for this year’s high school student election. But teacher Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger toward Tracy. So he tries to get an opponent that could beat Flick, he talks to the popular football player Paul Metzler, played by Chris Klein, to run for president. Chaos ensues. It’s very well written and just smart comedy, so I think a well deserved Oscar nomination for Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor for the screenplay.

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXynyyDNz-4