Movie review: The Campaign (+trailer)

American politics certainly is a generous target for the abundant talents of Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis.

The murky world of power, money and influence is always part of US election campaigns and no doubt the current battle will be little different.

Ferrell and Galifianakis are the protagonists in a campaign that is all about money and power.

Wade (Dan Aykroyd) and Glenn Motch (John Lithgow) are filthy rich businessmen who want to set up their own sweatshop in North Carolina. But, to get through the rules and regulations they need a friend in Washington.

With long-time candidate Cam Brady (Ferrell) caught up in one too many scandals, the Motch brothers look for a clean nobody they can buy and control.

In steps Marty Huggins (Galifianakis), the simple, warm-hearted manager of a small tourism centre. He is surely a likely candidate who can easily be manipulated.

Marty jumps at the opportunity to fulfil the destiny he believed he had. He leaps at the idea, determined to work for the community that he truly loves.

Brady thinks his goofball opponent will pose little threat so continues with his usual Clinton-esque inappropriate encounters.

Under the influence of a Motch minder, Huggins develops into the perfect candidate with a real chance of victory.

With everything he wanted before him, Huggins learns the truth about the Motch motives and must decide whether honesty and family or a Washington career is what he wants.

The Campaign is not a constant barrage of one-liners. It shows the idiocy of politicians' behaviour and pokes fun at their every action.

But there are laughs aplenty, as you'd expect from the comedy talents of Ferrell and Galifianakis.

The Campaign

(R16), 100 minutes

Rating: 3.5 / 5