Election (1999) Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Alexander Payne

Book Vs. Movie: Election<br />The 1998 Novel Vs. the 1999 Film<br /><br />The Margos have had the Tom Perrotta novel Election on their list to cover since the podcast began in 2008, but for some reason--it was not made available until this summer. Who could forget Reese Witherspoon’s performance as Tracy Flick? Matthew Broderick's last line in the Alexander Payne movie? The story is about an ambitious woman who will win her high school presidential campaign no matter what made Witherspoon a star. Her character became an avatar for people who tried too hard and were overbearing. <br /><br />Tracy believes she will easily win the election, not counting one of her teachers (Mr. M.) has it in for her; one of her fellow students is doing it as a goof (nice, but not very bright Paul Warren) while his sister (Tammy) is doing it in retaliation against Paul’s girlfriend Lisa (who used to date Tammy.) The teacher who has sex with Tracy (while his wife is pregnant!) loses his job, which makes Mr. M. angry, and he feels he needs to rob her of an election win. <br /><br />Now that there is a new Perrotta novel, a sequel called Tracy Flick Can’t Win, is it time to have a new look at not only her character but also the plot in the first place? Who were the villains here? Why does Mr. M. hate her so much? The Margos have so much to unpack here!<br /><br />This episode is sponsored by Kensington Books and the novel Twice a Quinceaňera by Yamile Saied Méndez.<br /><br />“This book will set your dreams on fire” –praise for Yamile Saied Mendez by Reese Witherspoon for Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez.<br /><br />Instead of losing the deposit on her wedding venue, a jilted bride decides to throw herself a quinceañera (times two) for her 30th birthday in this effervescent rom-com from Yamile Saied Méndez, the acclaimed author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club Pick FURIA. For fans of Never Been Kissed, 13 Going on 30, and The Wedding Singer…con azucar y amor. <br />One month short of her wedding day—and her thirtieth birthday—Nadia Pa