It's an election year and to me politics and religion are two taboo subjects, not to be discussed with friends nor over the dinner table. ‘The Campaign’, the new film starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis has changed my way of thinking. Directed by Jay Roach, famed for directing the Austin Powers film series beginning with his directorial debut in 1997 with the first Powers film, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery his Midas touch continues with ‘The Campaign.’
Congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) has run unopposed for his district in North Carolina for many years, until a hilarious gaffe calls to question his quality of character. Big business, having their own agenda in the outcome of this election, seize the moment and throw their backing to district native Marty Huggins (Galifianakis). Huggins is an unlucky candidate, a happy go lucky, naive man who's soul joy in life is running the local tourism center and displaying all his love for what the district stands for. Huggins lifestyle is forced into a complete makeover by the evil corporation, using him as a pawn in their diabolical scheme to "insource" jobs into the area making Brady's slogan of "America, Jesus, Freedom" not the free hall pass into government that it had for so many years.
Written by Chris Henchy and Shawn Harwell the scene is set for Ferrell and Galifianakis to create moments of what will be comedic classics that will go down in history as some of the great screen moments of this era.
Basically the script writes itself into situations where one line barbs, off color statements and visual sight gags abound but two thirds into the film the writers run out of reasons for these exchanges and the pace and laughs subside but by the end the absurdity picks back up making this the comedy film of the summer.
All are perfectly cast from Katherine LaNasa and Sarah Baker playing Brady and Huggins wives to Dylan McDermott and Jason Sudeikis who serve as the two's campaign managers, the entire cast stick the landing so to speak, using a term from the world of sports, this being an Olympics year.
If you are a Republican, Democrat, Liberal or an Independent you'll want to cast your vote for The Campaign when deciding what movie to see upon arriving at the box office. Huggins slogan for his campaign is, "It's a mess!" but that couldn't be further from the truth for The Campaign. Team Brady or Team Huggins, choose your candidate and get out and campaign. This film is worthy of election and is the funniest film of the year.
About the Author
Randy Leonhard is an actor, film fanatic, and Pittsburgh based critic. His passion for theater and film is matched by his admiration for social media. You can follow Randy on Twitter @discoverkip.
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