Alexander Payne, 1999 (9*)

I'll have to admit that this was the surprise comedic hit for me in 1999. Reese Witherspoon really hit her stride, especially for comedy, as an agressive, self-assured high schooler, named Flick, so "Pick Flick", who will do just about anything to get elected class president. She's ambitious and knows how to use her femininity to get what she wants. Matthew Broderick is well-cast as a jealous but non-assertive young teacher who convinces a dim-witted but popular athlete (Chris Klein) to run as her opponent.

Rather than just another sophmoric high school film however, director Alexander Payne (Sideways) gives this film enough bite to make a dark and mature statement about American politics at the same time that he also makes incisive points about the state of relationships and sexuality. One of the best and most overlooked films of that year.

Payne's other terrific comedy about relationships, Sideways, was nominated for best picture and five Oscars® overall, won the Golden Globe for comedy picture. He also filmed About Schmidt.