The process of political campaigning can be a more than a bit dry and drawn out. However, this isn’t the case in the new comedy “The Campaign,” a satire of the entire election process that for the most part effectively showcases the absurdity of it all.
When two CEOs (Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow) decide to maximize company profits through a devious scheme, the first step is to get unpredictable, sex-crazed incumbent Democratic Congressmen Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) out of office and instil a new official whom they can manipulate. Without many options, the pair must opt for bizarre tour guide and family man Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). With both candidates under intense pressure, the radically different Brady and Huggins come in direct conflict professionally, and then personally.
Ferrell isn’t exactly stretching here, yet he’s effective, maximizing every gag he can out of the buffoonish Brady. Galifianakis, however, is a big surprise. He abandons the obnoxious and grating persona from “The Hangover” films and “Due Date”. This results in a surprisingly sweet and even likable oddball. He’s the standout in this effort and anchor for the story, as Huggins is transformed from impish and quirky to unpredictably (and after one ugly transgression from his competitor, understandably) vindictive. Dermot Mulroney also stands out as a hilariously sinister campaign manager who skulks and lurks in the most unusual of places.
The humor has an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel, veering wildly between political satire, gross-out sexual hi-jinx and baby-punching physical gags. As a result, some jokes hit the mark while some of the cruder moments flop. Truthfully, the best gags result from the desperation and miscommunications that highlight the absurdity of the process. The pacing is rapid from set piece to set piece; from public appearance mishaps, to vicious attack ads and increasingly heated debates. As a result, any lags are fairly short in duration.
This may not be the most hilarious film in the career cannon of either star, but between the outrageous and coarse bits, it actually attempts to make a few interesting observations. Rather than taking sides, it shows both candidates and their teams to be merely the pawns of wealthy benefactors; even to the point that all involved in the election will flip-flop platforms and ideals in simple desperation to secure a win.
“The Campaign” certainly is silly enough to provide those simply looking for a laugh enough to satisfy. And every now and then, it manages to provide those looking for a bit more subtext with a few brief glimpses of biting satire that effectively skewer the madness of politics.