‘Re-Election’ Review – Vote “Yes” On This Heart-Warming Crowd Pleaser

For some, high school is the last great hurrah. That is the case for Jimmy Bauer (Adam Saunders), who, after losing his bid for senior class president, dropped out of high school. Now in his 40s and seemingly going nowhere, Jimmy takes a second chance on himself. He re-enrolls at his old high school to achieve his greatest ambition: becoming class president! That is the premise for the coming of (middle) age comedy Re-Election, which is both charming with its laugh and is surprisingly uplifting. Despite a ludicrous plot, the film seals the deal with a stand-out cast and heart-warming message.

Jimmy’s life has been going nowhere since he dropped out of high school thirty years ago. Losing the student council election to classmate Manish Singh (Rizwan Manji) has had a butterfly effect on Jimmy’s life. Jimmy works for his dad, Stan (Tony Danza), in his low-rent memorabilia shop. Singh is now the governor of Texas, enjoying a life of luxury. His sister Shawna (Patty Guggenheim), who happens to be the principal at his alma mater, encourages Jimmy to re-enroll to finish his missing credits. Once there, he mounts a campaign for student council president. Aided by a student, Noa (Bex Taylor-Klaus), and an old classmate turned teacher, Ama (Nathalie Kelley), Jimmy begins to teach the school the art of politics. 

There is a silly nature to the movie. A man in his 40s is reentering high school to win a class election. It is a classic fish-out-of-water story. Someone from the 90s needs a crash course in modern jargon, social cues, and school situations. Re-Election could have left its mark by playing for cheap laughs and running amok over a 40-year-old trying to act like a high school senior. The movie wisely delivers a story relevant to our current time, while still reaffirming a timeless message: it’s not how we start a journey that matters — it’s how we finish it. 

Saunders, who both wrote and directed the film, makes it impossible for the audience to be against him, even when his character Jimmy adopts a Machiavellian approach to politics. He is a loveable loser who is trying to reboot his life. The story blends comedy with political cues, which makes for a compelling study.

Saunders draws inspiration from films like Back to School, Billy Madison, and Election to craft a narrative that skillfully tackles our current political climate while making it an earnest story about people. Through a subtle study of The Prince, Re-Election makes nods to our political climate. While some may jeer at the packaged wholesomeness, the movie is more than a crowd-pleaser. It is a perfect reminder that perseverance and togetherness are more than slogans, but truths. 

Interestingly, Saunders sets the film in Texas and sprinkles in his own personal elements, but never resorts to caricatures or broad brushes. He notes that while the story is set in Texas, it is a movie about people. The emotional anchor of the film is the friendship between Jimmy and Noa. Noa, a nonbinary student at the school who is also active in the student council, is trying to find their way. We see in their story one of self-discovery and determination. As Noa struggles to find their place in the world, Jimmy provides a helping hand and vice versa. Taylor-Klaus is quite profound and delivers many of the film’s emotional beats with forthright assurance. Here again, the film shines by telling a real story, rather than comedic shenanigans. 

Despite its short runtime (barely an hour and a half), the movie wastes none of its character. Tony Danza plays a small but pivotal role as Jimmy’s father. Danza is given his spotlight and delivers a heartfelt exchange. This heartfelt talk gives Jimmy the impetus he needs to truly restart his life. Life is often an extension of high school. The film drives that point home while reminding us that, much like in high school, reinvention is possible and fresh paths lie ahead. 

The film centers on this high-stakes race for class president (oh, if only life were that simple), but it becomes a story of second chances and fresh starts. The outcome is completing Jimmy’s arc as he grows from his stunted youth into an adult. In many ways, Re-Election is reminiscent of the titles that inspired Saunders. A largely ensemble piece that takes an extreme premise and manages to tell a grounded story that both entertains and inspires. Re-Election earns my vote as one of the year’s genuine crowd-pleasers, brimming with optimism and earnest hope.

Re-Election is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Picturehouse.