SWING VOTE -vs- PAPER MOON

When Father doesn't know best... 

 
The Smackdown.  Ever noticed how precocious preadolescent girls in films are always decidely smarter, more ambitious and more mature than their underachieving dads?  Movies love to tell us kids have the wisdom that adults lack.  Well, maybe a few kids should have told their parentals who are executives at Touchstone that it's risky opening a film that features a father-daughter relationship in the middle of the summer when superheroes, mummies and teen comedies generally rule the box office.  Still, it'll be interesting to see if “Swing Vote” can hold its own against such formidable box office competition — time will tell.  A question we can answer right away, though, is whether this new Kevin Costner flick holds its own to what many consider to be a classic of this particular sub–genre — “Paper Moon.”  Can Costner get the votes he needs, or will Ryan and Tatum O'Neal con their way to a win?  This could be a close race and picking a winner between these two might be difficult. Luckily, the Supreme Court will not have to make a ruling.

The Challenger. In “Swing Vote,” Kevin Costner stars as Bud Johnson, a simple guy who pretty much coasts through life with virtually no ambition or sense of responsibility.  After all, what else would you expect from an egg processing plant worker who loses his job to “insourcing?”  Unemployed, unmotivated and uninformed, there are three things Bud does love  — the King of Beer, the King of Nascar and his precocious, over–achieving twelve–year–old daughter, Molly. Costner teams with young Madeline Carroll in this Capraesque tale of the importance of everyman's vote.  Ms. Carroll is exceptional in her role, and the star–studded supporting cast all contribute to an engaging, timely, thought–provoking film.  Credit must go to writers Joshua Michael Stern (who also directed) and Jason Richman for a screenplay that is better than one might expect, although it requires a serious suspension of disbelief on several occasions. Propelled by the Marshall Tucker Band's driving beat of “Can't You See,” the amusing, improbable chain of events which culminates in a presidential election coming down to one single vote in a little two–bit town on Route 66 succeeds in entertaining the electorate.

The Defending Champion.  Based on Joe David Brown's novel “Addie Pray,” screenwriter Alvin Sargent and Director Peter Bogdanovich bring to the silver screen in glorious black & white a brilliant, bittersweet and thoroughly entertaining comedy/drama set in the midst of the Great Depression.  There's nothing depressing here.  Real–life father–daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal forge an unlikely partnership selling overpriced Bibles to unwitting widows, and while they may be viewed as morally unsavory characters for their rather unscrupulous deeds, one cannot help but cheer them on.  Tatum's performance is especially memorable, winning her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the tender age of ten years, 153 days — the youngest performer to win in Academy history.  Also noteworthy was the high–contrast, extreme depth–of–field cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs, Bogdanovich's long, uninterrupted takes which lets the fast–paced, snappy dialogue shine without resorting to conventional cutting techniques, and the exclusive use of actual period tunes from the personal collection of Rudi Fehr heard only when one of the characters is listening to a radio.  Yep, no music score wanted or needed as Bogdanovich rightfully feared having one might interrupt the carefully crafted blend of images and dialogue that effectively and efficiently present a classic, heartwarming and poignant story.

The Scorecard.  Both films are well cast.  In fact, it is almost impossible to imagine anyone other than Ryan and Tatum O'Neal being the leads in “Paper Moon.”  Throw in Madeline Kahn's unforgettable portrayal of one Ms. Trixie Delight and you have a a winning trifecta to be sure. 

Costner's performance in “Swing Vote” is very good, although I couldn't help but think that this role might be more appropriate for Billy Bob Thornton.  Young Madeline Carroll, however, is absolutely fantastic and the supporting cast, which includes Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, Judge Reinhold, George Lopez, Richard Petty, Ariana Huffington and Willie Nelson, among many others, combine to keep things moving. 

Storywise, both films entertain and even manage to make a statement or two about the human condition, whether it be during the Great Depression of the early 1930s or now, just before America enters what could be the Greater Depression.  With the extraordinary craftsmanship which went into the making of “Paper Moon” — the cinematography, editing, production design being especially noteworthy — Bogdanovich's film has withstood the test of time.    Will “Swing Vote?”

The Decision.  “Swing Vote” contains a number of especially humorous moments.  For example, when twelve–year-old Molly sneaks off into the night, Bud screams at one of the many secret service agents on hand as to how such a thing could happen. “You guys protect Presidents, for God's sake!”  The immediate, no–nonsense reply, “She's smarter.”  There's no doubt that Madeline Carroll's winning portrayal of young Molly Johnson makes “Swing Vote” a worthy challenger.  Her spunk and persistence makes Bud wiser in the ways of social and civic responsibility.  And us wiser, too.

“Paper Moon” is the more ambitious and cinematic film helmed by a talented director who was at the top of his game.  All aspects of the cinematic art were beautifully blended in a way that thoughtfully examines family relationships by slyly questioning the degree to which we will do anything to take care of our own.  Simply put, this film was, is, and will continue to be a classic.  Accordingly, we have a winner:  Paper Moon. 

Yes, “Moon” shines!

(Whatever happened to Bible salesmen?)