Comedy Film

The Campaign (2012)

December 8, 2012September 29, 2016 Dave Aaron Jay Rome, Adam McKay, Amelia Jackson-Gray, Bill Maher, Bill Martin Williams, Billy Slaughter, Brian Cox, Catherine Stevens, Chris Henchy, Chris Matthews, Dan Aykroyd, Danny Vinson, Dennis Miller, Dylan DePaula, Dylan McDermott, Ed Schultz, Elizabeth Wells Berkes, Gerry May, Grant Goodman, Heather Lawless, Jack McBrayer, Jason Sudeikis, Jay Roach, Joe Scarborough, John F. Daniel, John Lithgow, Josh Lawson, Karen Maruyama, Kate Lang Johnson, Katherine LaNasa, Kya Haywood, Lawrence O'Donnell, Madison Wolfe, Mika Brzezinski, Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin, Millard Darden, P.J. Byrne, Parker Lovein, Peaches Davis, Piers Morgan, Ramona Tyler, Randall D. Cunningham, Rob Mariano, Rowan Jospeh, Sarah Baker, Scott A. Martin, Shawn Harwell, Steve Wilkins, Taryn Terrell, The Campaign, The Campaign Review, Thomas Middleditch, Tzi Ma, Will Ferrell, Willie Geist, Wolf Blitzer, Zach Galifianakis

Summary:When long-term congressman Cam Brady commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naive Marty Huggins, director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice, but with the help of his new benefactors support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about. As Election Day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other. Because even when you think campaign ethics have hit rock bottom, there s room to dig a whole lot deeper.

Year: 2012

Australian Cinema Release Date: 9th August, 2012

Australian DVD Release Date: 12th December, 2012

Country: United States

Director: Jay Roach

Screenwriter: Shawn Harwell, Chris Henchy, Adam McKay

Cast: Dan Aykroyd (Wade Motch), Sarah Baker (Mitzi Huggins), Elizabeth Wells Berkes (Mrs. Mendenhall), Wolf Blitzer (himself), Mika Brzezinski (herself), P.J. Byrne (Rick), Brian Cox (Raymond Huggins), Randall D. Cunningham (Cam Jr.), John F. Daniel (Giant Marty), Millard Darden (Moderator Carl Terry), Peaches Davis (Mrs. Cutler), Dylan DePaula (Young Cam), Will Ferrell (Cam Brady), Zach Galifianakis (Marty Huggins), Willie Geist (himself), Grant Goodman (Clay Huggins), Kya Haywood (Dylan Huggins), Amelia Jackson-Gray (Becky), Kate Lang Johnson (Shana), Rowan Joseph (Reporter Gary), Katherine LaNasa (Rose Brady), Heather Lawless (Diane), Josh Lawson (Tripp), John Lithgow (Glenn Motch), Parker Lovein (Jared Mendenhall), Tzi Ma (Mr. Zheng), Bill Maher (himself), Rob Mariano (Boston Rob), Scott A. Martin (Wes), Karen Maruyama (Mrs. Yao), Chris Matthews (himself), Gerry May (Carter Baines), Jack McBrayer (Mr. Mendenhall), Dylan McDermott (Tim Wattley), Thomas Middleditch (Travis), Dennis Miller (himself), Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin (The Miz), Piers Morgan (himself), Lawrence O’Donnell (himself), Aaron Jay Rome (Intern Jason), Joe Scarborough (himself), Ed Schultz (himself), Billy Slaughter (Dermot), Catherine Stevens (Anchor Rachel), Jason Sudeikis (Mitch), Taryn Terrell (Janette), Ramona Tyler (Reporter Brenda Britton), Danny Vinson (Elder Dan), Steve Wilkins (Reporter Darren), Bill Martin Williams (Senator Lloyd), Madison Wolfe (Jessica Brady)

Runtime: 85 mins

Classification:MA15+

Dave Griffiths’s ‘The Campaign’ Review:

American comedy has hit a purple patch at the moment. With the releases of brilliant films such as Bernie and Ted already this year it’s like everybody is just waiting for the bubble to burst and next bad comedy to be released (aside – when is Adam Sandler releasing his next film???), but luckily for everyone it doesn’t arrive in the form of The Campaign. Yet again it’s time to line up at the cinemas for another American comedy that is guaranteed to make you laugh.

The Campaign follows an election campaign for a small Congress seat in North Carolina between the sitting member, Congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell – Casa de mi Padre, TV’S Eastbound & Down) and his surprise opponent Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis – The Muppets, Puss InBoots).

While Brady is in it for the fame and fortune, Marty actually wants to get elected in order to help out the people he is representing. Soon both Cam and Marty are involved in a dirty tricks campaign, spurred on by their right hand men Mitch (Jason Sudeikis – TV’S Eastbound & Down, The Cleveland Show) and Tim Wattley (Dylan McDermott Nobody Walks, TV’S American Horror Story). Also lurking in the background are corrupt businessmen Glenn (John Lithgow – New Year’s Eve, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes) and Wade Motch (Dan Aykroyd – TV’S Happily Divorced & The Defenders).

Director, Jay Roach (Dinner For Schmucks, Meet The Fockers) does an amazing job with this film. He skims quickly over the jokes that bomb and lingers just long enough on the ones that work. There are literally scenes in this film, for those who have seen it think of Cam trying to recite The Lord’s Prayer, that seem to keep going and going but they work amazingly well and have you laughing throughout.

The screenwriters also do an amazing job, not only for delivering some zinging jokes but also remembering that even comedy films need characterization. Both Cam and Marty are well established (and likable), and even the minor characters are explored enough to make them work. But the big job that the screenwriters pull off is the fact that they deliver a powerful message about big business leading to political corruption but still make the film funny.

The clear standouts here are the leading men. This is one of the times when Will Ferrell is at the top of his game, he has a good script to work with and relishes it. Alongside him we also see Zach Galifianakis once again showing why he deserves to be called as Hollywood’s best current comedic actor. Together in The Campaign these two are an absolute riot.

The Campaign is guaranteed to make you laugh. Sometimes it reaches for the crass comedy gutter, but at the end of the day it’s an intelligent comedy that works well.

Other Subculture Media Reviews of ‘The Campaign’: http://www.helium.com/items/2357477-movie-reviews-the-campaign-2012

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

IMDB Rating: