Movies

Swing Vote is guilty of being the same thing that so many political candidates accuse each other of being: a flip-flopper.

The story of a presidential election that hinges on the vote of one guy does have its moments of hilarity. It works best when the two contenders are one-upping each other, contradicting themselves and their parties in saying whatever it takes to win over this one average Joe.

Kevin Costner produces and stars as Bud Johnson, a scruffy single dad who just got fired and is too drunk to remember to vote. His 12-year-old daughter, Molly (the tremendously poised Madeline Carroll), is wise beyond her years and keeps things functioning at the family trailer in dusty Texico, N.M. It's Paper Moon all over again — or at least it's trying to be.

Molly also tries to cast her father's vote for president, but because of a machine malfunction, it doesn't count. With a nod to Florida in 2000, the election is so tight, Bud's vote becomes the one that will decide the presidency.

Kelsey Grammer co-stars as the Republican incumbent, with Stanley Tucci as the slick, ruthless mastermind behind his campaign. Meanwhile, Dennis Hopper is the Democratic challenger, with Nathan Lane as his campaign manager, a guy who's desperate to win after a career of losing.