Swing and miss

Lazy plot devices keep new Kevin Costner film from reaching its potential | Megan Basham

Perhaps we can give Hollywood credit for at least trying to produce an ideologically neutral comedy about presidential politics. The considerably left-of-center baseline most of the industry starts from doesn't allow them to succeed, but Disney's effort with Swing Vote, a PG-13 comedy with an inexplicable amount of offensive language, feels sincere.

Swing Vote's premise stands as an answer to those who argue that individual votes don't count for much. In a heated race that brings to mind Broward County and hanging chads, the entire presidential election comes down to the vote of good ol' boy Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) from the small town of Texico, N.M. A borderline-alcoholic factory worker, Bud has little understanding of the issues and even less interest in them. Thus the two candidates are quickly reduced to appealing to Bud's love of NASCAR, country music, and fishing to win his vote.