Elections are perfect material for screenplays — two opponents literally pitted against one another, a winner and a loser, moral dilemmas at every turn. From high school elections to presidential scandals, people love election scripts, and so do we.
So after you vote today — do it, your vote is your voice — relax with one of our six favorite scripts about elections:
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The Manchurian Candidate (2004) written by Dean Georgaris and Dave Payne. We wish this was the 1962 version, but what can you do.
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All the President’s Men by William Goodman. Not specifically about an election, but it’s all related.
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Election by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. Reese Witherspoon at her best.
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Napolean Dynamite by Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess. Your mom goes to college.
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington by Sidney Buchman. Does it get any better?
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Wag the Dog by David Mamet. Bringing to together the corruption of Washington and the creativity of Hollywood.
November 6, 2014 at 8:51 am
“We wish this was the 1962 version, but what can you do.” What can you do? Read the book, maybe? I read it when it was published.
November 6, 2014 at 8:52 am
“Wag the dog” was prescient. How did they know the next hot spot would be Albania? Pass the chips.
November 8, 2016 at 6:55 pm
How could you overlook THE CANDIDATE and ADVISE AND CONSENT?