Movie Spoiler THE CAMPAIGN (2012) starring Will Ferrell - after review

The Campaign is a new political satire from Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents), who has been wetting his lips lately with screenplays like Recount and Game Change (both produced for HBO), based on real events. This fictitious film deals partly with the formula running for office has become with focus groups, polling, and media savvy. One character quips at one point, "It's all math." Ironically, it has been pretty common these days to match up one successful comedy star with another in a buddy film, especially if each of their track records hasn't been completely bullet-proof. It's all about the math. If you take Will Ferrell, who has only had two quasi-hits in the last four years (which is more than most), and Zach Galifianakis, two-thirds of his homeruns belong to the Hangover franchise, you theoretically double your chances of winning. The creative accounting of Hollywood often includes hiding budget costs, so it's hard to determine if The Campaign's solid opening numbers mean anything at this point. But, chances are, audiences probably expect to guffaw more than they will here. Ferrell and Galifianakis play rival political opponents Cam Brady and Marty Huggins, respectively, in an important U.S. senate election. Brady is a career politician whose recent affair sends his numbers into the crapper; he gives up every last ounce of integrity to raise them. Huggins is a small-town tour guide with a lisp. He also happens to be the son of a prominent local figure and Koch-like brothers played by Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow (in a hat-tip to Trading Places) buy him out and give him a complete makeover to challenge Brady's senate seat. The movie is discreet about the lead character's party affiliations. I thought Brady was mostly a barb against the Republicans, based on his actions, but technically played a Democrat, probably a Blue Dog (complete with a career-climbing wife), to be more specific. Huggins is the Republican candidate (but, he's more like a Democrat in Republican clothes), perhaps intentionally, as Huggins stands for the people and what he believes to be true, and runs the cleaner campaign. Whatever the case, there is an obvious mild anti-Republican tone, limiting its appeal. While the movie clips along, there aren't any huge belly-laughs in what is essentially a sobering, but earnestly pat story on the state of national American elections.  There are worse things than this film, but it certainly tickled the funny bone on very few occasions, replete with awkward ending, leaving one to wonder what was left out and why.

Move Spoiler Summary
After a political rally for North Carolina Democrat Cam Brady (Wil Ferrell), the Senatorial incumbent shtups an actress (Kate Lang Johnson) in a Port-o-Potty. Thanks to foolishly leaving a message at a wrong-number ("I wish I wasn't eating fried steak; I wish I was eating Shana pussy") his indiscretion leads to a scandal and a plummeting approval rating. Glenn (John Lithgow) and Wade (Dan Aykroyd) Motch, a couple of wealthy brothers, written as a thinly veiled barb against the Koch brothers, decide this would be the perfect opportunity to soak their money into a prop candidate, who will carry out their wishes, including a deal to basically sell the state of South Carolina to China. In a hat tip to Trading Places, they choose to Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), a small-town tour guide who doesn't live up to his wealthy father's expectations.  His dad Raymond (Brian Cox) lukewarmly informs his son of the Motch's plans.  "You look like Richard Simmons just crapped out a God-damned hobbit."

In "Mera-Kai" (sounds like America), China, the Motch brothers visit a doll factory and tell Mr. Zheng (Tzi Ma) that they plan to import his entire business model, eliminating shipping costs. Brady realizes he mistakenly thought he had the election sewn up when Marty arrives at the courthouse to announce his candidacy for the 14th Congressional District. "Back in the fourth grade, they used to call him Tickle-shits. All you had to do was tickle him and he'd shit his pants." During dinner, the Brady's discuss their predicament while having their kids listen to their music (hip-hop song about "ass and titties") on headphones. At the Huggins' family dinner, Marty has his sons put their cards on the table, as their lives are about to be scrutinized under a microscope. ("I went to a petting zoo and I let a goat lick my penis"; "One time I put a firefly in my butthole, to make my farts glow") At a luncheon, Brady presents a humiliating short film about Huggins. Tim Wattley (the incredibly dashing Dylan McDermott) pops up as Huggins' campaign manager. Before the first debate, Brady subjects Huggins to an abnormally long handshake complete with insults. Tim gives Huggins a complete makeover and, during the second debate, he's a big hit. "Let's clean up DC. And bring your brooms, because, it's ... a mess." Afterwards, there is a baby kissing opportunity which leads to Brady accidentally punching the baby.

After the press crucifies Brady yet again, he has his media specialists come up with negative campaign ads. Later, he meets with some wealthy figures who want to buy his influence. At a town hall debate, when citizens start to tighten the screws on Brady, he throws out some lies about Huggins. While trying to prove he is "Christian enough" for America, he fucks up the Lord's Prayer. During visits to various religions, Brady incurs a snake bite, placing him in the hospital. Tim oversteps his boundaries and interrupts Huggins' family time. Brady realizes his questionable behavior has rubbed off on his son's ethics. After relaying a childhood story about getting the jaggedy jungle gym removed as class president, Brady leaves Huggins' home drunk, while listening to Heart's "These Dreams" and "Barracuda." Huggins' call to the police results in Brady's arrest. During the next debate, Huggins' uses Brady's grade-school illustrated story "Rainbow Land" against him, insinuating it as communist propaganda. A melee results and Brady and Huggins get into another fight ending in Brady punching a Uggie the Dog from The Artist. Media heads across the TV spectrum, including Fox News Dennis Miller, dissect Brady's diminishing chances. Brady's wife (Katherine LaNasa) leaves him. Huggins runs a negative ad. Brady seduces Huggins' wife Mitzi (Sarah Baker) and records it. He fires his manager Mitch (Jason Sudeikis) who doesn't like the direction the campaign is taking. Brady's dirty decisions work; additionally, Mitzi leaves Marty. The Motch brothers inform Raymond that the sale of the 14th District to China went through. When Marty stands up to them, they throw him under the bus and send Tim to help out Brady. Mitzi helps her sulking husband reinvigorate his interest in winning. During a broadcast message, Huggins opens up and divulges all his secrets, inspiring people everywhere to do the same. But, Brady wins the election with help from voting machines owned by the Motch brothers. Huggins reveals all of the scars he received from playing on the jaggedy jungle gym as a kid, prompting Brady to open up his soul to North Carolina and hands the position to Huggins. Mitch reconciles with Brady. There's a cameo from John Goodman.