Of all the teen funniness made in the 90s / early 00s , Election is often dwarf by bigger hit like Clueless and Mean Girls . But the Alexander Payne - helmed high school election movie has clawed out a pop finish legacy through its maniacally driven distaff lead , Tracy Flick , the character - A slave epitomize . Flick ( Reese Witherspoon ) is a new type of high school mean value girl : The wholesome - looking overachiever , uninterested in social climbing but ruthlessly fixated on success .
Flick is all Kuki-Chin - out grit , a fretful , hyper - competent terror , the ultimate Ambitious Girl . Do n’t get me wrong : She is a psychopath in this film . Election is a fizzing , acerb clowning about sorry people . But like any good anti - hero , her pathos and misdeeds are compelling :
Flick has become a sort ofcultural shorthand for ambitious distaff politicians , something Flavorwire pointed out last year . Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were both compared to picture during the 2008 elections , besides being diametrical opposites as political opposition . Even in his original recapitulation , Robert EbertcomparedFlick to Elizabeth Dole .
These are not open compliments : Flick , as I said before , is a psychopath . But they ’re also not overt insults . There are so few ethnical touchstones for ungoverned distaff ambition that Flick ’s clawed political ascent is probably the best model we have of a woman who will do whatever it take to make headway . And she is always , always competent , more so than her male rivals . So yes , calling a female pol a “ Tracy Flick ” character is not saying squeamish things about her personality , but it ’s certainly pay tribute to her ability and drive .
“ Who the fuck does she opine she is ? ” her former teacher muses at the end of the motion-picture show . While Tracy ’s striving machination are never forgiven in the film , it ’s clear that the implicit watch - up doubt is “ Who the fuck do you recall you are ? ”
Flick is a character near - and - lamb to my plaguey fondness . Election come out when I was in 7th tier . That twelvemonth , I ran for scholarly person council President of the United States . I was the first candidate and run uncontested , but still instant on printing candidacy posters and practicing a speech where I meticulously sketch my campaign promise . I had been on student council since quaternary grade , and this would be my third election . I had glasses , braces , a forehead devoted to excreting oil color , and a well - garner reputation for being a jerk .
I lose the election to a late - entry candidate : A pop basketball player named Luke who wore a tie ironically . Shortly after the election , I was at a Polemonium caeruleum car wash with people in my grade and their syndicate . Some parents were talk about the student council election . “ That Knibbs kidskin is like that Tracy Flick , ” one of the dads tell to another pop . ( Fuck you , that dad ! But also , much respect to your taste in movies . ) They dad - chuckled at my heartfelt ambition while I pretend to wash a tyre that was already clean just so I could keep crouching .
Now I take that as a retro compliment . Plus , to be fair , he could ’ve just been talking about my mentum and not my latent sociopathy . While all side - ill-use mushiness with a script consecrate to portraying viciousness , Election still manages to find empathy and admiration for Flick . Plus , beyond the fascinating chief quality ’s persistent role in pop culture , it ’s only a disconsolate , funny film , and it ’s availableon Netflix .
Welcome toMovie Night , where Gizmodo staffers recount you what you should be stream tonight .
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , skill , and culture news in your inbox daily .
News from the future , delivered to your present tense .
