In a year that has been generously sprinkled with 'teen films', you could be fooled into thinking that Election was another in the same line. The film even starts off in similar vein but it doesn't take long for Election to turn into something quite different.

The story is simple enough - revolving around the election of president for the student body in Carver High. Tracy Flick is the ambitious, driven, win-at-all costs student determined to become president. Pitted against her are Chris Meltzer - reluctant and not too bright and his younger, rebellious adopted sister, Tammy.

Thrown into this equation is multi award winning, popular and highly respected teacher, Jim McAllister. It is in the portrayal of these leading characters and what they represent that makes the film the biting satire that it is. On the one hand there is Tracy Flick - representing the intelligent, hard working and extremely ambitious, middle class element. We also learn that Flick is driven by her ambitious mother who sees in her daughter a second chance to achieve all that she herself was unable to do in her own lifetime. A reflection of the Williams sisters - Martina Hingis style parent control prevalent today.

Chris Meltzer in contrast is the born with a silver spoon rich boy. Not too bright, easy going and all round good guy. Never having had to struggle for anything he is the antithesis of Flick. The third angle to the triangle is Tammy. Adopted, rebellious, unconventional - she represents the outcast, maverick element. Then there is school teacher Jim McAllister. Starting off as upright, decent and popular he finds the election playing havoc with is own life.

In the light of the sleaze and scandal of the Clinton years, Election is a caustic, sharp and bitter stab at American politics and society. Much less a funny ha ha comedy and much more a dark parody it's an intelligent, well crafted and well acted film. Witherspoon is particularly good as Tracy Flick and is well supported by the reliable Broderick and the remaining cast.