Swing For Me

Authors: Chris Moffitt
Location: North Carolina

“Swing For Me”

Directed by Alexander Payne
Written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Music by Rolfe Kent

Principal Cast:

Richard Gere (Jefferson Teague)
Chris Cooper (Richard Kemp)
Thomas Haden Church (Peter Johnson)
Bill Murray (Andrew Jameson)
John Stamos (Michael Learnors)
Virginia Madsen (Angela Teague)
Farah Fawcett (Elizabeth Johnson)

Tagline: "In an election this close, any vote counts"

Synopsis: Alexander Payne writes and directs this satire on the politics behind a presidential election. Jefferson Teague is a sophisticated, charismatic and intellectual senator from Pennsylvania who wins the democratic nomination for president. He is a lock until the republican party nominates the popular, former football player Richard Kemp and the governor of Texas, Peter Johnson. As the campaigns begin, each party realizes that the need to win the swing states are so important that the candidates will do anything to win them. During the campaign, a popular, political pundit named Michael Learnors begins to criticize each candidate forcing the two candidates to try and constantly outdo themselves in the form of debates, campaign commercials, and campaign promises.

What the press would say:

Alexander Payne does it again as he directs an all star cast in an excellent satire on the politics behind a presidential race. The film excels with Chris Cooper delivering a laugh-out-loud, hysterical performance as the dim-witted republican presidential nominee, who tries his hardest to figure out what he's supposed to do in the middle of a presidential campaign. Cooper's speech in Ohio, where he promises the citizens of Canten that a new amendment will be added to the constitutions stating that football will be officially titled the new past time of America. On the other hand, Richard Gere and Bill Murray deliver more silent and cool humor with their performances as the democratic nominees. But the film's star is John Stamos who delivers a breakout, adult role as the John Stewart-like political pundit. The film also delivers a wonderful music score and beautiful camera work that makes the film seem like an actual presidential campaign. Look for the film to earn plenty of Oscar buzz.

Best Picture
Best Director: Alexander Payne
Best Original Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Best Actor: Chris Cooper
Best Supporting Actor: Bill Murray
Best Supporting Actor: John Stamos
Best Editing
Best Original Score: Rolfe Kent
Best Cinematography