The hosts of 'Unspooled' discuss the acidic high-school satire 'Election', praising director Alexander Payne's eye for detail, Matthew Broderick's subversive performance, and the movie's reflections on American society. They explore the characters of Tracy Flick and Mr. McAllister, analyze gender and success in the film, and delve into the challenges women face in public roles. The podcast also touches on competition, judgment, and human behavior, while expressing gratitude and discussing future plans.
The movie 'Election' challenges the notion of clear-cut villains and heroes, presenting a more nuanced understanding of morality and ethics.
The significance of perception and misconceptions is highlighted in 'Election', prompting viewers to question their own tendencies to make snap judgments.
'Election' portrays a microcosm of high school-like dynamics in society, shedding light on how popularity and likeability can influence people's opinions and choices.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Villains and Heroes
The movie 'Election' explores the complexity of villains and heroes. It delves into the idea that when people are unhappy with their own lives, they often look for someone else to blame. The movie showcases different perspectives and flawed characters who struggle to take responsibility for their actions. It challenges the notion of clear-cut villains and heroes, presenting a more nuanced understanding of morality and ethics.
Perception and Misconceptions
The film highlights the significance of perception and misconceptions. It portrays how people's personal biases and preconceived notions impact their view of others. The characters in 'Election' struggle with judging Tracy Flick based on their own biases and assumptions, leading to actions that have unforeseen consequences. The movie prompts viewers to question their own tendencies to make snap judgments and consider the broader complexities of individuals.
The High Schoolification of Society
'Election' presents a microcosm of the high school-like dynamics in society. The movie explores how popularity, likeability, and mob mentality can influence people's opinions and choices. It sheds light on the tendency to simplify complex issues and reduce them to personal preferences. The film reflects how the high school perception of who's cool and who's not can extend into broader social realms, impacting the way society functions and how individuals are judged.
Sexism and Perception of Ambitious Women
Through the character of Tracy Flick, 'Election' subtly addresses the issue of sexism and the perception of ambitious women. Tracy's ambition and determination are met with criticism and negative biases, leading to her being labeled as unlikable. The film explores how societal expectations and stereotypes can shape the way women are viewed, often facing unfair judgments. By depicting Tracy's journey, the movie invites reflection on the double standards and obstacles faced by ambitious women in various fields.
Exploring the complexity of human behavior and judgment
The podcast episode delves into the complexity of human behavior, particularly in high-stakes situations such as elections and high school politics. It emphasizes the idea that judgment is often subjective and influenced by personal perspectives and biases. The hosts discuss how information can be used as currency, highlighting the power dynamics created by the knowledge one possesses about others. The episode also reflects on the primal nature of human impulses and the constant struggle to hide our animalistic tendencies in the civilized world. Through examples from the movie, the hosts emphasize the gray areas in human behavior and the nuanced nature of morality.
The interplay between ethics, morality, and perceived right and wrong
Another key theme explored in the podcast episode is the interplay between ethics and morality. The hosts discuss how ethics are often shaped by external rules and societal norms, while morals are subjective and based on individual principles. They examine how this distinction plays out in the movie's portrayal of political campaigns and the choices made by the characters. The episode also highlights the challenges of navigating competing narratives and the effect of perception on determining who is right or wrong in a given situation. It prompts listeners to question their own judgments and the complexity of human decision-making.
Paul & Amy put their hats in the ring for 1999’s acidic high-school satire Election! They praise director Alexander Payne’s brilliant eye for humanist detail, discuss how Matthew Broderick channels his Ferris Bueller image to subversive ends, and posit that America has only become more like high school since the movie’s release. Plus: How Election almost derailed Reese Witherspoon’s career.
Next week. Paul and Amy are watching Fight Club! You can join the conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
Learn more about the show at unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.
