Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
A Democratic political consultant helps a retired Marine colonel run for mayor in a small, conservative Wisconsin town.
Jon Stewart's political satire aims at both parties but lands with mixed results. The premise of a DC strategist parachuting into rural America is promising, and the film has genuine moments of sharp commentary on campaign finance and media spectacle. The ensemble cast performs competently, with Steve Carell doing solid work, though the characters feel somewhat thin. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable. The twist ending is divisive — clever in concept but feels contrived in execution. Novelty is moderate: it occupies familiar political satire territory but has a distinct voice shaped by Stewart's insider perspective.