It's a predictable, feel-good fantasy in the mould of a political satire and the result is a good one.
Comment
03/05/09
Swing Vote (2008)
37
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:141
Fresh:52
Rotten:89
Average Rating:5/10
Consensus: Despite Kevin Costner providing his most charismatic performance in years, Swing Vote fails to find the right mix of political satire and heartfelt drama.
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $16,229,781
Synopsis: Writer/director Joshua Michael Stern (NEVERWAS) tackles American politics in his second feature film. Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner) is just your below-average Joe. He works in an egg factory, likes... [More]
Starring: Kevin Costner, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Reviews for Swing Vote
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; Australian critics are listed first)
Top CriticClick to read the article
10/18/08
Smart, sharp, and savvy while still being eminently likaeable, this is a film that doesn't create stock villains and heroes
08/02/08
In this climate, Kevin Costner’s boldly heartfelt new film Swing Vote is strange indeed.
07/30/08
It's funny, sad, involving, and very well made. This is one of the big surprises of the summer.
08/04/08
The "wow" factor in 'Swing Vote' is Madeline Carroll's impressive screen presence. She's a power to be reckoned with, so watch your back, Abigail Breslin!
08/02/08
After years of misfires, Kevin Costner has hit upon a strategy to make himself likable in a movie: by playing someone completely unlikable.
07/31/08
If Swing Vote seems ridiculously improbable (and it is), then it might be best to remind yourself that the presidency coming down to the votes of just one county in Florida seemed far-fetched once upon a time, too.
08/01/08
A rocky start aside, this blend of timely political satire and father/daughter heart warmer offers enough truth about media manipulation and voter pandering to win over an undemanding audience.
08/11/08
Sometimes, an actor's enthusiasm for a role can carry a performance past its more awkward moments.
08/01/08
A disarming political satire perfectly calibrated to the national mood and to its revitalized star.
07/31/08
The most underrated film of the year.
08/17/08
Swing Vote captures the spirit of an election year when many once-apathetic Americans are keenly interested in the outcome. We have met the enemy and he is us. But so is the hero.
07/31/08
As a political shaggy dog story, [it's] an entertaining diversion from the real life 2008 campaign. For moviegoers hungry for substance, that may not be enough.
08/01/08
Swing Vote is a benign but telling satire.
09/26/08
...a thoroughly affable piece of work that makes up in easy-going entertainment what it lacks in plausibility.
06/18/09
The film varies between ironic cynicism about the political process and overt whimsy and sentimentality.
09/26/08
For all its faults -- and they are numerous -- Swing Vote is a hard movie to dislike by the end simply because it nails the uplifting moment that it has spent two hours chasing.
08/01/08
This light satire is unlikely to influence the forthcoming election, but Costner’s in fine fettle.
09/26/08
Top CriticSwing Vote is more subtle and insightful than the dumbed-down comedy the marketing campaign would have us believe it to be.
07/30/08
Latest News for Swing Vote
January 13, 2009:
With Costner's yokel having a decided preference for being handed a beer rather than a ballot, he does a pretty darn good job of exposing the phony platitudes and pandering of candidates, in a movie about bad news politicians and even badder parenting. 
More...
January 09, 2009:
With Costner's yokel having a decided preference for being handed a beer rather than a ballot, he does a pretty darn good job of exposing the phony platitudes and pandering of candidates, in a movie about bad news politicians and even badder parenting.
More...
August 18, 2008:
Kevin Costner, Kelsey Grammer Sued for Cribbing Swing Vote Script
Former Bush assistant and political pundit Bradley A. Blakeman claims the political comedy, in theaters now, was lifted from a script he spent eight years writing. More...
August 03, 2008:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: The Bat Still Going Strong, Three Weeks In
The Dark Knight won't losen its grip on the box office gold, but the Mummy is a very close silver. More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Win Glee DVDs
We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.
New Moon Portraits
TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi?
The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds