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Thursday, April 25, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD THE CAMPAIGN
EDITOR'S PICK
The Campaign` irreverently funny and
political
Rating: *** 1/2
Deep truths need not be revealed in a dark, boring manner. It can also wear the
veneer of seeming banality and irreverence. When it does so, the result becomes
reverential. The Campaign is one such `funny` film, which has some
decent, but tacit commentary about life, politics and political-corporate nexus
that makes it a delightful watch.
To defeat incumbent congressman Cam Brady (Will Farrell), who is refusing to
cooperate with their plans to turn the state into a sweat shop full of Chinese
workers, two business tycoon brothers put up an absolute nerd Marty Huggins (Zach
Galifianakis) to compete against him.
A wacky battle ensures where the two rivals leave no stone unturned, literally,
to win the elections even at the cost of losing who they truly are.
The Campaign is deceptively simple film. At the face of it seems
like a loud, raunchy and over the top comedy that is resorting to desperate
measure (which often succeed hilariously) and seemingly dumb jokes to make you
laugh.
Yet, if you look at American politics, you realise that this may seem
outlandish, but it`s not far from the truth. In reality, the candidates resort
to more sophisticated ways of washing dirty linen in public, rather that this
obvious mud-slinging. The intention remains the same - to win the election by
hook or crook.
What the film thus becomes is an unintended lampoon, a hilarious satire on
modern politics, its election process and the strong interference and influence
of business in the `business` of politics.
Director Jay Roach of Austin Powers and Meet the Parents
fame seems to take Oscar Wilde`s advice seriously where he had said that if you
want to tell people the truth, make them laugh.
What works for the film is the perfect pairing of lead actors. Both Ferrell and
Galifianakis bring out the best in their characters. If you thought chemistry
can only exist between lovers, their comic chemistry of a irreverent kind will
thrill the laughter out of you.
The only problem with the film is that its pace varies a bit and though you
might find it a little uneven due to a script that needed much more tightening,
it will still make you chuckle enough to make the trip to the theatre a
worthwhile experience.
America goes into their presidential elections in a few months. This film is a
perfect gift for these times as the incumbent gets ready to face the challenger
with business funding and starting fights, from the sidelines.
