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13 Going on 30

2025-11-01T15:39:13Z

2600:1700:8780:AF40:5BA:68FA:A95B:596: /* Plot */

{{short description|2004 film by Gary Winick}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = 13 Going on 30
| image = 13 Going on 30 film poster.png
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Gary Winick]]
| writer = {{Plainlist|
* Cathy Yuspa
* Josh Goldsmith
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Susan Arnold]]
* [[Donna Arkoff Roth]]
* [[Gina Matthews]]
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jennifer Garner]]
* [[Mark Ruffalo]]
* [[Judy Greer]]
* [[Andy Serkis]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Don Burgess (cinematographer)|Don Burgess]]
| editing = [[Susan Littenberg]]
| music = [[Theodore Shapiro]]
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* [[Columbia Pictures]]
* [[Revolution Studios]]
* Roth/Arnold Productions
}}
| distributor = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
| released = {{Film date|2004|4|23}}
| runtime = 98 minutes<ref name="mojo" />
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $37 million<ref name="mojo" /><ref name="numbers" />
| gross = $96 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}
'''''13 Going on 30''''' (released as '''''Suddenly 30''''' in some countries) is a 2004 American [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[romantic comedy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=13 Going on 30 (2004) |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/63259-13-GOINGON30 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121115832/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/63259-13-GOINGON30 |url-status=live }}</ref> film written by Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, directed by [[Gary Winick]], starring [[Jennifer Garner]] and [[Mark Ruffalo]], and produced by [[Susan Arnold]] and [[Donna Arkoff Roth]]. The film is about a 13-year-old girl in 1987 who awakens to find herself suddenly 30 years old and living in 2004 as a fashion editor.

''13 Going on 30'' received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising Garner's performance and its nostalgic environment. It was also praised for its humorous plot and self-empowering message. The film was also a commercial success, earning $22 million in its first week and becoming one of the year's biggest-selling [[DVD]] rental titles. Its total box office profit was over $96 million. Additionally, the soundtrack charted inside the top 50 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. Garner's acting earned her nominations from both the [[MTV Movie & TV Awards|MTV Movie Awards]] and the [[Teen Choice Awards]].

==Plot==

In 1987 in [[New Jersey]], nerdy 13-year-old Jenna Rink yearns to be popular. She persuades the Six Chicks, her school's ruling clique led by "Tom-Tom", to attend her birthday party by doing their homework for them. Jenna's best friend and next-door neighbor, Matty Flamhaff, secretly in love with her, gifts her a handmade dollhouse and sprinkles the roof with "magic wishing dust." The Six Chicks arrive with a group of boys, including Jenna's crush Chris Grandy. They trick Jenna into believing Chris is going to play "[[seven minutes in heaven]]" with her while they leave with the completed homework. When Matty discovers her in the closet, a humiliated Jenna barricades herself and tearfully wishes to be "thirty and flirty and thriving" as the wishing dust falls on her.

The next morning, Jenna awakens as an adult in a luxurious [[Fifth Avenue]] apartment in 2004, dating a young man she does not recognize and with no memory of the intervening seventeen years. Upon further investigation, she learns that she now works as an editor for her favorite fashion magazine, ''Poise'', alongside her co-editor and best friend, Lucy Wyman. However, the magazine is falling behind its arch-rival ''Sparkle'', which her editor-in-chief, Richard Kneeland, believes is the work of a saboteur. A confused Jenna locates Matty, now a struggling photographer, in [[Greenwich Village]]. He explains that in high school, she became the new head of the Six Chicks and subsequently stopped speaking to him; she also learns that Lucy is Tom-Tom.

As she adjusts to her new adult life, Jenna gradually learns that the person she has become is nothing like her shy, sweet teenage self; the adult Jenna plagiarized ideas, became estranged from her parents, and had an affair with a co-worker's husband. After overhearing Lucy plotting to remove her from a presentation on a ''Poise'' rebrand, Jenna returns to her childhood home to reunite with her parents before reconciling with Matty and hiring him to help with her presentation. They gradually fall for each other, though Matty's fiancée Wendy is eager for him to move to [[Chicago]] with her.

Jenna's presentation proves successful, but Lucy lies to Matty and claims Jenna did not use his photos, having him sign them over to her instead. While looking for Matty to deliver the good news, Jenna finds Wendy, who reveals that their wedding is the next day. Moreover, she learns from Kneeland that Lucy became ''Sparkle''{{'}}s new editor-in-chief by using Jenna's presentation. Outraged, she confronts Lucy, who scornfully reveals that Jenna is the one who sabotaged ''Poise'' in exchange for a position at ''Sparkle'', though Lucy took the job first.

Jenna rushes to Matty's childhood home, where the wedding is about to take place, to explain what happened, though Matty says he already knew the truth. Jenna tries to convince Matty to give their relationship a chance, promising that she is not the awful person she appears to be. Matty acknowledges his feelings for her, but rejects her anyway, claiming that too many years have passed. He gives her the dollhouse, which he has kept despite their estrangement, and confesses that he has always loved her. Jenna goes next door to her childhood home and breaks down in tears while holding the dollhouse; a breeze swirls some remnants of the wishing dust around her.

Jenna reawakens back in 1987 on her thirteenth birthday. When Matty finds her huddled alone in the closet, she happily embraces and kisses him. Jenna berates Lucy and her friends, destroys their completed homework, and ousts them from her house. With this second chance, Jenna lives the subsequent seventeen years differently, eventually going on to marry Matty. The newlywed couple then moves into a suburban house resembling the dollhouse Matty gave Jenna on her thirteenth birthday.

==Cast==
{{multiple image|total_width=350
| direction = horizontal
| alt footer =
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Jennifer Garner 2013.jpg
| caption1 = [[Jennifer Garner]], pictured in 2013.
| image2 = Mark Ruffalo (36201774756) (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = [[Mark Ruffalo]], pictured in 2017.
}}
{{Cast list|
* [[Jennifer Garner]] as Jenna Rink
** [[Christa B. Allen]] as young Jenna
* [[Mark Ruffalo]] as Matty Flamhaff
** [[Sean Marquette]] as young Matty
* [[Judy Greer]] as Lucy "Tom-Tom" Wyman
** [[Alexandra Kyle]] as young Lucy
* [[Andy Serkis]] as Richard Kneeland
* [[Kathy Baker]] as Beverly Rink
* Samuel Ball as Alex Carlson
* Marcia DeBonis as Arlene
* [[Phil Reeves]] as Wayne Rink
* [[Kiersten Warren]] as Trish Sackett
* [[Jim Gaffigan]] as Chris Grandy
** Alex Black as young Chris
* [[Lynn Collins]] as Wendy
* [[Susan Egan]] as Tracy Hansen
* [[Ashley Benson]] as Six Chick
* [[Brittany Curran]] as Six Chick
* [[Brie Larson]] as Six Chick
* Megan Lusk as Six Chick
* Julia Roth as Six Chick
* [[Renee Olstead]] as Becky
* [[Gia Mantegna]] as Gina
}}

==Production==
In October 2002, director [[Gary Winick]] was in negotiations to direct ''13 Going on 30''.<ref name="thr-imdb">{{cite news |date=October 9, 2002 |title=Winick big on Revolution's '13' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |via=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0187096/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426060253/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0187096/ |archive-date=April 26, 2015 }}</ref> It was also announced that Susan Arnold and [[Donna Arkoff Roth]] were producing the project with the writers' manager, Gina Matthews.<ref name="ruffalo-revolution">{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Michael |title=Good 'Going' for Ruffalo, Revolution |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/news/good-going-for-ruffalo-revolution-1117879559/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=28 January 2003 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907225556/https://variety.com/2003/film/news/good-going-for-ruffalo-revolution-1117879559/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="thr-imdb" /> Actress [[Jennifer Garner]] was cast for the movie's lead role. In order to film the picture, Garner shot it while on break from filming her television series ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''.<ref name="ruffalo-revolution" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a60524345/13-going-on-30-oral-history/|title=Exclusive: The Creatives Behind '13 Going on 30' Say It Almost Had a Completely Different Ending|last=Kaplan|first=Ilana|date=April 23, 2024|website=Cosmopolitan}}</ref> [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], [[Hilary Swank]], and [[Renée Zellweger]] were all considered for the lead role.<ref name="imdbtrivia">{{cite web |date=April 22, 2019 |title=12 Things You Didn't Know About '13 Going on 30' on its 15th Anniversary |url=https://www.moviefone.com/2019/04/22/12-things-you-didnt-know-about-13-going-on-30-on-its-15th-anniversary/ |access-date=August 1, 2022 |website=[[MovieFone]] |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817213048/https://www.moviefone.com/2019/04/22/12-things-you-didnt-know-about-13-going-on-30-on-its-15th-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Judy Greer]] was cast to play Lucy, Garner's best friend; [[Kathy Baker]] and [[Phil Reeves]] were cast as Garner's mother and father, respectively.<ref name="about.com1" /> Later, [[Andy Serkis]] was selected to play Garner's boss; while Samuel Ball was announced as Garner's boyfriend.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 21, 2003 |title=Revolution's '13' is lucky number for Serkis, Ball |work=The Hollywood Reporter |via=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0188613/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802004442/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0188613 |archive-date=2022-08-02 }}</ref>

On May 13, 2003, it was reported that filming for the movie was underway in Los Angeles with [[Revolution Studios]].<ref name="about.com1">{{cite news |date=May 13, 2003 |title="13 Going on 30" Gets Underway |website=[[About.com]] |url=http://movies.about.com/cs/upcomingreleases/a/13goingnews.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922165433/http://movies.about.com/cs/upcomingreleases/a/13goingnews.htm |archive-date=September 22, 2005}}</ref> It was filmed in [[Los Angeles]], [[New York City]] and [[South Pasadena, California]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bosely|first=Candice|title=Bunker Hill native to appear in movie '13 Going on 30'|url=http://articles.herald-mail.com/2004-04-11/news/25018578_1_sam-ball-first-role-movie|work=[[The Herald-Mail]]|access-date=August 13, 2013|date=April 11, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213202/http://articles.herald-mail.com/2004-04-11/news/25018578_1_sam-ball-first-role-movie|archive-date=October 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Filmed in South Pasadena!|url=http://www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1758|work=August 13, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2013|archive-date=November 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130212918/http://ci.south-pasadena.ca.us/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1758|url-status=dead}}</ref> Interior shots were filmed in Los Angeles. The crew moved to New York City, where they shot exteriors for 17 days.<ref>{{cite web |title=13 Going on 30 Production Notes – 2004 Movie Releases |url=http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2004/13_going_on_30.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220222442/http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2004/13_going_on_30.htm |archive-date=February 20, 2007 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |website=Madeinatlantis.com}}</ref> Principal photography took place from May to November 2003. Written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, the script was "polished" by [[Niels Mueller]] (who lost an initial writing credit in a subsequent dispute arbitrated by the [[Writers Guild of America]]).<ref>{{cite web |date=23 April 2004 |title="13 Going on 30 written by Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith with "polishing" by Niels Mueller" |url=http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/13-going-on-30 |access-date=April 28, 2012 |website=ericdsnider.com |archive-date=April 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416080509/http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/13-going-on-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Christa B. Allen]], who portrayed 13-year-old Jenna, later "reprised" her role as a younger version of [[Jennifer Garner]] by portraying the teenage version of Jenny Perotti in ''[[Ghosts of Girlfriends Past]]'' (2009).<ref name="bustle">{{cite news |last=Semigran |first=Aly |title=10 Things You Never Knew About '13 Going on 30' |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/21244-10-things-you-never-knew-about-13-going-on-30 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029055423/http://www.bustle.com/articles/21244-10-things-you-never-knew-about-13-going-on-30 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2016, it was announced ''13 Going on 30'' was going to be adapted for Broadway with an estimated debut in late 2017, but plans did not move forward.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/13-going-on-30-musical-aiming-for-broadway |title=13 Going on 30 Musical Aiming for Broadway |website=Playbill |date=21 October 2016 |access-date=2018-04-30 |archive-date=April 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430115213/http://www.playbill.com/article/13-going-on-30-musical-aiming-for-broadway |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music==
===Soundtrack===
{{Infobox album
| name = 13 Going on 30 Soundtrack
| type = soundtrack
| artist = Various Artists
| cover =
| alt =
| released = April 20, 2004
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]|[[pop rock]]|[[New wave music|new wave]]|[[dance-pop]]}}
| length =
| label = [[Hollywood Records|Hollywood]]
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The soundtrack to ''13 Going on 30'' was released on April 20, 2004, from [[Hollywood Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=13 Going on 30 - Original Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/13-going-on-30-mw0000697922 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813120912/https://www.allmusic.com/album/13-going-on-30-mw0000697922 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album mostly contains music from the 1980s with a range of hits from famous recording artists such as [[Talking Heads]], [[Billy Joel]], [[Madonna]], [[Pat Benatar]] and [[Whitney Houston]]. There is also a handful of songs performed by contemporary artists, such as [[Lillix]] and [[Liz Phair]].

# "[[Head over Heels (Go-Go's song)|Head Over Heels]]" – [[The Go-Go's]]
# "[[Jessie's Girl]]" – [[Rick Springfield]]
# "[[What the World Needs Now Is Love]]" — [[Jackie DeShannon]]
# "[[Burning Down the House]]" – [[Talking Heads]]
# "[[Mad About You (Belinda Carlisle song)|Mad About You]]" – [[Belinda Carlisle]]
# "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]" – [[Whitney Houston]]
# "[[What I Like About You (The Romantics song)|What I Like About You]]" – [[Lillix]]
# "[[Heaven Is a Place on Earth]]" — [[Belinda Carlisle]]
# "[[Ice Ice Baby]]" – [[Vanilla Ice]]
# "[[Crazy for You (Madonna song)|Crazy for You]]" – [[Madonna]]
# "[[Vienna (Billy Joel song)|Vienna]]" – [[Billy Joel]]
# "[[Why Can't I?]]" – [[Liz Phair]]
# "[[Nothing Compares 2 U]]" — [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
# "[[Tainted Love]]" – [[Soft Cell]]
# "[[Love Is a Battlefield]]" – [[Pat Benatar]]
# "Will I Ever Make It Home" – [[Ingram Hill]]

===Other songs featured in the film===
* "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" – [[Michael Jackson]]
* "[[Everybody Have Fun Tonight]]" – [[Wang Chung (band)|Wang Chung]]
* "Good Day" – [[Luce (band)|Luce]]

The songs "[[Breathe (Michelle Branch song)|Breathe]]" by [[Michelle Branch]] and "[[Iris (song)|Iris]]" by the [[Goo Goo Dolls]] were featured in promotional trailers, but were not featured in the movie or on the soundtrack.

===Original score===
{{Infobox album
| name = 13 Going on 30
| type = film
| artist = [[Theodore Shapiro]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = April 6, 2004
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 29:46
| label = [[Hollywood Records]]
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Starsky & Hutch (film)|Starsky & Hutch]]
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = [[DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story]]
| next_year = 2004
}}
# "Prologue" (4:19)
# "Jenna Dream House" (1:13)
# "Transformation" (0:31)
# "Wake Up" (2:03)
# "Naked Guy" (0:36)
# "Off to Work" (0:29)
# "Poise" (0:43)
# "Paper Throw" (0:28)
# "Can I Go?" (1:05)
# "Matt's Apt" (0:46)
# "Fluffy Pillow" (0:49)
# "Au Revoir" (0:44)
# "Good Luck with Fractions" (0:35)
# "Mean Messages" (0:25)
# "Eavesdropping" (0:46)
# "Yearbook Idea" (1:14)
# "Elevator" (0:25)
# "Swings" (01:49)
# "Assemble the Proposal" (0:39)
# "Hang in There" (0:38)
# "Angry Lucy" (0:15)
# "Presentation" (2:30)
# "Sneaking" (0:59)
# "Rain Montage" (1:08)
# "Getting Married Tomorrow" (0:29)
# "Sparkle Bus Overlay" (0:39)
# "Dream House Revisited" (1:28)
# "30 to 13" (0:38)
# "Crazy for You Overlay" (1:09)

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film opened on April 23, 2004, with an initial box office take of $22 million in its first weekend, debuting at number two, almost tied with [[Denzel Washington]]'s thriller ''[[Man on Fire (2004 film)|Man on Fire]]''.<ref name="imdb1">{{cite news |date=April 26, 2004 |title='Man,' '13' light up boxoffice |work=The Hollywood Reporter |via=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0196930/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720035932/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0196930/ |archive-date=2022-07-20 }}</ref> In its second week, it dropped to number three, earning $9 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2004 Weekend 18 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W18/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801023502/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W18/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In its third week, it fell to number five, earning $5.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studio Briefing: May 11th, 2004 |url=https://movieweb.com/studio-briefing-may-11th-2004/ |website=[[MovieWeb]] |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=August 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326024835/https://movieweb.com/studio-briefing-may-11th-2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In its fourth week, it took sixth place with an estimated $4.2 million.<ref name="imdb4">{{cite news |date=May 16, 2004 |title='Troy' wins weekend horse race |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0197538/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720035932/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0197538/ |archive-date=2022-07-20 |via=IMDb}}</ref> In its fifth week, it fell to number seven, with an estimated $2.5 million.<ref name="imdb5">{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2004 Weekend 21 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W21/?ref_=bo_rl_table_5 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801023505/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W21/?ref_=bo_rl_table_5 |url-status=live }}</ref> In its sixth week, the film fell to number 9, earning $1 million.<ref name="imdb6">{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2004 Weekend 22 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W22/?ref_=bo_rl_table_6 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801023506/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2004W22/?ref_=bo_rl_table_6 |url-status=live }}</ref> It ended with $57 million at the domestic box office, and a total worldwide gross of $96,455,697.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |title= 13 Going on 30 (2004) |url= https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=13goingon30.htm |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= September 9, 2022 |archive-date= June 24, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090624095646/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=13goingon30.htm |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''13 Going on 30'' has an approval rating of 65% based on reviews from 179 critics, with an average rating of 6.20/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Although the plot leaves a lot to be desired, ''13 Going on 30'' will tug at your inner teenager's heartstrings thanks in large part to a dazzling performance from Jennifer Garner."<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/13_going_on_30 |title= 13 Going on 30 (2004) |website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date= April 14, 2004 |publisher= [[Fandango Media]] |access-date= Jan 1, 2021 |archive-date= November 27, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201127180422/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/13_going_on_30 |url-status= live }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 57% based on reviews from 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |title= 13 Going on 30 |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/13-going-on-30 |website= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= Jan 1, 2021 |archive-date= October 3, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201003185115/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/13-going-on-30 |url-status= live }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade A−, on a scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |title=13 Going on 30 (2004) A- |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date=2018-12-20 |work=[[CinemaScore]] }}</ref>

[[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a highly positive review with a grade of "A−", writing, "''13 Going on 30'' is the rare commercial comedy that leaves you entranced by what can happen only in the movies." Gleiberman also praised Garner's performance, writing: "She cuts out all traces of adult consciousness, of irony and flirtation and manipulation, reducing herself to a keen, goggle-eyed earnestness that's utterly beguiling."<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |author-link=Owen Gleiberman |date=22 April 2004 |title=13 Going on 30 – Movie Review |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2004/04/22/13-going-30-2/ |access-date=3 April 2012 |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719120921/https://ew.com/article/2004/04/22/13-going-30-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mick LaSalle]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote: "The possibilities of Jenna's confusion are exploited for full comic effect. Garner, who turns out to be a charming, abandoned comedian, makes Jenna's incredulousness and innocence very funny and occasionally even touching."<ref name="sfgate">{{cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |author-link=Mick LaSalle |date=April 23, 2004 |title=Getting what you wish for can be dangerous -- especially if you adore Rick Springfield |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Getting-what-you-wish-for-can-be-dangerous-2765213.php |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210215227/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Getting-what-you-wish-for-can-be-dangerous-2765213.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Joe Leydon of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' also praised her performance, writing "Garner throws herself so fully and effectively into the role that in a few key scenes, she vividly conveys Jenna's high spirits and giddy pleasure through the graceful curling of her toes." Leydon praised director Gary Winick for "bringing a fresh spin to most of the script's cliches and emphasizing nuggets of emotional truth provided by Goldsmith and Yuspa."<ref name="variety">{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/13-going-on-30-1200534072/ | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | title=13 Going On 30 | first=Joe | last=Leydon | date=April 11, 2004 | access-date=March 26, 2019 | archive-date=March 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101230/https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/13-going-on-30-1200534072/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Wesley Morris]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' wrote that "The film is tailor-made for women who openly lust for dream houses, dream jobs, and dream hubbies." He also wrote that "the best stuff involves the childhood preamble. (The young actors playing Jenna, Matt, and Lucy are terrific.) Those moments feel painfully, comically true."<ref name="boston">{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Wesley |author-link=Wesley Morris |date=April 23, 2004 |title='13 Going on 30' has growing pains |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=3323 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221115248/http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=3323 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Claudia Puig]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, commenting, "This romantic comedy is intended as a cautionary fairy tale. The silly humor works with the film's gentle message of self-empowerment and avoids sappiness in a tender interlude where the adult Jenna returns to her childhood home. Amusing, charming, and pleasantly nostalgic, ''13 Going on 30'' should fall easily onto moviegoers' wish lists."<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |author-link=Claudia Puig |date=April 22, 2004 |title='13 Going on 30' not just for kids |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2004-04-22-13-going-on-30_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705210650/https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2004-04-22-13-going-on-30_x.htm |archive-date=July 5, 2004}}</ref> Mick Martin and Marsha Porter's 2005 DVD and Video Guide called it a "shameless rip-off of the [[Tom Hanks]]' classic ''[[Big (film)|Big]]''", adding that it was "weak, but predictable and is sparked by the excellent performance of Jennifer Garner".<ref>2005 DVD and Video guide, p.1120. {{ISBN|0-345-44995-9}}.</ref><ref name="laweekly">{{cite web |url=https://www.laweekly.com/thirteen-things-i-learned-watching-13-going-on-30/ |title=Thirteen Things I Learned Watching 13 Going on 30 |first=Scott |last=Foundas |date=April 22, 2004 |website=[[LA Weekly]] |access-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110184421/https://www.laweekly.com/thirteen-things-i-learned-watching-13-going-on-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Elvis Mitchell]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote: "The performances give the film more flavor and life than the situation does; it often feels like pre-chewed Bubble Yum. The message of the plot is that a lack of sophistication is the key to success, even in a fashion magazine that attracts readers through sexy exhibitionism. The movie would have shown some daring savvy if it had played more with the role-playing aspect of fashion spreads. Instead, it is content to eat its retro snack cake and have it, too."<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Elvis |author-link=Elvis Mitchell |date=April 23, 2004 |title=13 Going On 30 (2004) FILM REVIEW; Freaky Future: An Awkward Teenager Finds Herself Fast-Forwarded to Adulthood |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=950CE1DE143AF930A15757C0A9629C8B63 |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103191409/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/23/movies/film-review-freaky-future-awkward-teenager-finds-herself-fast-forwarded.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it 2 out of 4 and wrote: "You buy the magic because it comes with the territory. What I couldn't buy was the world of the magazine office, and the awkward scenes in which high-powered professionals don't seem to notice that they're dealing with a 13-year-old mind."<ref name="rogerebert">{{cite news |date=April 23, 2004 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=13 going on 30 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/13-going-on-30-2004 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231181411/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/13-going-on-30-2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Andrea Gronvall of the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' wrote that "The formula works, thanks in large part to star Jennifer Garner, who's so radiant theaters should be stocking sunblock. Underlying the shenanigans and the pop-psychology moral—self-love is a prerequisite for true love—there's a touching wistfulness about roads not taken."<ref name="chicagoreader">{{cite web |author=Gronvall |first=Andrea |date=9 April 2004 |title=13 Going On 30 |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/13-going-on-30/Film?oid=1054518 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722080510/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/13-going-on-30/Film?oid=1054518 |archive-date=2010-07-22 |access-date=2010-07-14 |work=[[Chicago Reader]]}}</ref> Jorge Morales of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' commented: "The thirty something in me was all, [[wikt:gag me with a spoon|gag me with a spoon]], but the kid in me was like, this film's rad to the max."<ref name="village">{{cite web |author=Morales |first=Jorge |date=2004-04-13 |title=13 Going on 30 |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2004/04/13/film-102/ |work=[[The Village Voice]] |access-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329222425/https://www.villagevoice.com/2004/04/13/film-102/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nell Minow of [[Common Sense Media]] rated four stars out of five saying "Touching, hilarious Jennifer Garner rom-com."<ref>{{cite web |title=13 Going on 30 Movie Review |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/13-going-on-30 |website=Common Sense Media |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026051010/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/13-going-on-30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accolades===
The film received several nominations at the [[2004 Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Awards]], including a nomination for Garner.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Susman |first=Gary |date=July 27, 2004 |title=Paris and Nicole will host Teen Choice Awards |url=https://ew.com/article/2004/07/27/paris-and-nicole-will-host-teen-choice-awards/ |access-date=August 1, 2022 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801023502/https://ew.com/article/2004/07/27/paris-and-nicole-will-host-teen-choice-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The musical performance of Garner and Ruffalo was nominated for an [[2005 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2005 |title=Vicious Teens And Happy Drunk Lead 2005 MTV Movie Awards Nominees |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/kvlejz/vicious-teens-and-happy-drunk-lead-2005-mtv-movie-awards-nominees |access-date=August 1, 2022 |publisher=MTV News |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801023502/https://www.mtv.com/news/kvlejz/vicious-teens-and-happy-drunk-lead-2005-mtv-movie-awards-nominees |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Home media==
The DVD was re-released in 2006 with the subtitle ''The Fun and Flirty Edition'' with special packaging and different special features.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 12, 2006 |author1=Preston Jones |title=13 Going On 30: Fun & Flirty Edition Sony Pictures // PG-13 |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/20124/13-going-on-30-fun-flirty-edition/ |website=[[DVD Talk]] |quote=bizarre and arbitrary decision to eliminate certain bonus features |access-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130814/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/20124/13-going-on-30-fun-flirty-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Blu-ray]] version of ''13 Going on 30'' was released on January 20, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=13 Going on 30 Blu-ray |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/13-Going-on-30-Blu-ray/2713/ |website=Blu-ray.com |access-date=2017-03-22 |archive-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524094602/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/13-Going-on-30-Blu-ray/2713/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 10, 2009 |author1=Aaron Beierle |title=13 Going on 30 |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/36570/13-going-on-30/ |website=[[DVD Talk]] |quote=the Blu-Ray combined the extras from both DVDs. |access-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130816/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/36570/13-going-on-30/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title=13 Going On 30 (2004) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/13-Going-On-30 |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121130815/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/13-Going-On-30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Stage adaptation ==
{{Main|13 Going on 30 (musical)}}
On 28 September 2023, a UK stage adaptation of the film was announced. The show held several public workshop performances at [[Battersea Arts Centre]] in London, ahead of a full production opening in the summer of 2025. The stage production is written by movie writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa and music is by composer/lyricists Alan Zachary and [[Michael Weiner (actor)|Michael Weiner]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=13 Going On 30 musical to have preview performances next month |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/13-going-on-30-musical-announced_1530972/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |language=en-US |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928125938/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/13-going-on-30-musical-announced_1530972/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/13-going-on-30-musical-adaptation-london-1235739109/|title='13 Going On 30′ Musical Adaptation Set From Film's Original Writers|date=September 28, 2023 |publisher=Variety|access-date=September 29, 2023|archive-date=September 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929103559/https://variety.com/2023/film/global/13-going-on-30-musical-adaptation-london-1235739109/|url-status=live}}</ref> Casting for the workshops was announced on 12 October 2023, with [[Lucie Jones]] playing Jenna Rink, [[Jamie Muscato]] playing Matt Flamhaff, and [[Grace Mouat]] playing Lucy Wyman, with [[Andy Fickman]] set to direct.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=Cast including Lucie Jones and Jamie Muscato for 13 Going On 30 musical workshop announced |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/cast-including-lucie-jones-and-jamie-muscato-announced-for-13-going-on-30-musical-workshop_1536135/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163933/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/cast-including-lucie-jones-and-jamie-muscato-announced-for-13-going-on-30-musical-workshop_1536135/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 October 2024 it was announced that the stage adaptation would make its world premiere at the [[Manchester Opera House]] from 21 September 2025 through 12 October 2025. The producers for the show include ROYO, [[Revolution Studios]], Wendy Federman, and Phil Kenny.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/13-going-on-30-the-musical-to-have-world-premiere-next-autumn_1646759/|title=13 Going On 30 the Musical to have world premiere next autumn|date=October 29, 2024 |publisher=What's On Stage|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

{{Gary Winick}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:13 Going On 30}}
[[Category:2004 films]]
[[Category:2004 fantasy films]]
[[Category:2004 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s films about time travel]]
[[Category:2000s romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:2000s teen comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s teen fantasy films]]
[[Category:2000s teen romance films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:American teen comedy films]]
[[Category:American teen romance films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age romance films]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:Films about birthdays]]
[[Category:Films about body swapping]]
[[Category:Films about rapid human age change]]
[[Category:Films about wish fulfillment]]
[[Category:Films adapted into plays]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gary Winick]]
[[Category:Films scored by Theodore Shapiro]]
[[Category:Films set in 1987]]
[[Category:Films set in 2004]]
[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles County, California]] 
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Middle school films]]
[[Category:Revolution Studios films]]
[[Category:Works about fashion magazine publishing]]

Election (1999 film)

2025-11-01T08:57:24Z

2600:1700:8780:AF40:5BA:68FA:A95B:596: /* Plot */

{{short description|1999 film by Alexander Payne}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Election
| image = Election (1999 film).png
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Alexander Payne]]
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Albert Berger]]
* [[Ron Yerxa]]
* David Gale
* [[Keith Samples]]
}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
* Alexander Payne
* [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]]
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Election (novel)|Election]]''|[[Tom Perrotta]]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Matthew Broderick]]
* [[Reese Witherspoon]]
}}
| music = [[Rolfe Kent]]
| cinematography = [[James Glennon]]
| editing = [[Kevin Tent]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[MTV Productions]]
* Bona Fide Productions
}}
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released = {{Film date|1999|4|23|United States}}
| runtime = 103 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $8.5–25 million<ref name="numbers" /><ref name ="BOM">{{mojo title|election}}</ref>
| gross = $17.2 million<ref name="numbers" />
}}

'''''Election''''' is a 1999 American [[satirical]] [[black comedy]] film directed by [[Alexander Payne]] from a screenplay by Payne and [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]], based on [[Tom Perrotta]]'s [[Election (1998 novel)|1998 novel]].

The plot revolves around a [[Student governments in the United States|student body]] election and satirizes politics and high school life. The film stars [[Matthew Broderick]] as Jim McAllister, a popular high school social studies teacher, and [[Reese Witherspoon]] as [[Tracy Flick]], an overachieving student whom he dislikes. When Tracy runs for student government president, McAllister attempts to sabotage her candidacy by encouraging a rival candidate.

Although not a commercial success, ''Election'' received widespread critical acclaim, along with an [[Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]], a [[Golden Globe]] nomination for Witherspoon for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical]], and three [[Independent Spirit Awards]] including [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Film|Best Feature Film]] in 1999.

==Plot==

Jim McAllister is a [[U.S. history]] and [[civics]] teacher at George Washington Carver High School in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]. One of his students is [[Tracy Flick]], an overachieving [[Junior (education year)|junior]] whose single mother Judith encourages her to strive for success. Earlier in the year, Jim's colleague and best friend, geometry teacher Dave Novotny, was fired from his job and divorced by his wife Linda after engaging in a sexual relationship with Tracy. Though Jim believes that Dave needed to suffer consequences for his actions, he resents the lack of repercussions for Tracy, as well as her overenthusiastic nature and Judith's coddling of her.

Jim struggles to conceive a child with his wife Diane, and subsequently begins to have sexual fantasies of both Linda and Tracy, the latter of which disturb him. Appalled by Tracy's unopposed run for [[student government president]] and dreading further proximity to her, Jim persuades Paul Metzler, a popular and good-natured but dimwitted football player, to enter the race. Sidelined from football with a broken leg sustained in a skiing accident, Paul finds that his candidacy gives him purpose. It also infuriates Tracy, who had expected to run unchallenged.

Tammy Metzler, Paul's adopted younger sister, is dumped by her girlfriend Lisa Flanagan, who becomes Paul's girlfriend and [[campaign manager]]. Tammy exacts revenge by running for president herself. In her speech at a school assembly, she denounces student government as a sham and vows to dissolve it if she wins, rallying the students to a rowdy [[standing ovation]]. The principal, Walt Hendricks, retaliates by suspending her.

Late one Sunday night while working on the school yearbook, Tracy sees that one of her campaign posters has come unstuck from the wall. While trying to reattach it, she accidentally rips the poster apart, then furiously destroys the other candidates' campaign posters and discards them in a [[dumpster]], unaware that Tammy is watching.
The next day, Jim confronts Tracy about the posters. She feigns innocence and trades threats with Jim, but Tammy rescues her by appearing with the torn posters and falsely claiming responsibility. The school gleefully expels Tammy and her name is removed from the ballot.

Jim has a tryst with Linda the day before the election. She asks him to rent a motel room for an after-school rendezvous, but fails to attend. When Jim drives to Linda's house to find her, he is [[stung by a bee]] on his eyelid. He returns home to find Linda and Diane talking. Knowing Linda has told Diane the truth about their encounter, he spends the night in his car.

Jim oversees the tally of the [[ballot]]s, which finds Tracy winning by a single vote (cast by Paul). Seeing Tracy peering in on the vote count and preemptively celebrating, he spitefully disposes of two of Tracy's ballots, throwing the election to Paul. The discarded ballots are later discovered by a janitor who dislikes Jim, and Tracy becomes class president. Jim is forced to resign, and the election rigging makes headlines. Diane divorces him, taking the house and most of their joint assets.

Publicly humiliated, Jim leaves Nebraska and fulfills his dream of moving to [[New York City]]. He becomes a tour guide at the [[American Museum of Natural History]] and begins dating his co-worker Jillian. Paul develops an active social life at the [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]], though without Lisa, who dumps him. Tammy finds a new girlfriend at her all-girls [[Catholic school]]. Tracy attends [[Georgetown University]], where she similarly isolates herself from her peers due to her work-centric nature.

On a visit to [[Washington, D.C.]], McAllister spots Tracy getting into a limousine with a Republican [[United States House of Representatives|congressman]]. Infuriated that she will go through life as she did at Carver, he impulsively hurls a cup of soda at the limousine before fleeing. Later, while giving a museum tour to a group of elementary school children, a young girl enthusiastically raises her hand to answer a question in a manner that reminds Jim of Tracy; he ignores her.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Matthew Broderick]] as Jim McAllister
*[[Reese Witherspoon]] as [[Tracy Flick|Tracy Enid Flick]]
*[[Chris Klein (actor)|Chris Klein]] as Paul Metzler
*[[Jessica Campbell]] as Tammy Metzler
*[[Mark Harelik]] as Dave Novotny
*[[Phil Reeves]] as Principal Walt Hendricks
*[[Molly Hagan]] as Diane McAllister
*Delaney Driscoll as Linda Novotny
*[[Colleen Camp]] as Judith Flick
*[[Frankie Ingrassia]] as Lisa Flanagan
*[[Matt Malloy]] as Vice Principal Ron Ball
*Jeanine Jackson as Jo Metzler
*[[Holmes Osborne]] as Richard "Dick" Metzler
*[[Nicholas D'Agosto]] as Larry Fouch
*Pegi Georgeson as Ballot Lady
}}

==Production==
Producers [[Albert Berger]] and [[Ron Yerxa]] sent director [[Alexander Payne]] an unpublished manuscript from novelist [[Tom Perrotta]] called "Election" in 1996. Payne was initially uninterested in directing a high school movie but changed his mind after he read the manuscript. "It was set in a high school, but it wasn’t a [[Teen film|high school story]], per se. Also what attracted me was the formal exercise of doing a movie with multiple points of view and multiple voice-overs," said Payne.<ref name="huff-oral" /> The [[Election (novel)|novel]]'s rights were sold to Payne in January 1997. It was officially published in March 1998.

The novel was inspired by the following two key events: the [[1992 United States presidential election]], in which [[Ross Perot]] entered as a third-party candidate (a move echoed by Tammy Metzler), and a 1992 incident at [[Memorial High School (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)|Memorial High School]] in [[Eau Claire, Wisconsin]], in which a pregnant student was elected homecoming queen, but staff announced a different winner and burned the ballots to cover it up.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news|date=October 14, 1992|title=Officials Deny Pregnant Girl School Crown|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3D71538F937A25753C1A964958260|access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|last=Crace|first=John|date=February 21, 2009|title=A life in writing: Tom Perrotta|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/feb/21/tom-perrotta-interview|access-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref>

The film uses several stylized techniques in its storytelling, particularly through the use of freeze frames, flashbacks, and voiceovers, which allow sections of the narrative to be delivered from the points of view of the four main characters (Mr. McAllister, Tracy, Paul, and Tammy).<ref name="variety-review" />

The film was primarily shot on location around the [[Omaha metro area]] in late 1997,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ingalls|first=Chris|date=9 February 2018|title=Like Real Life 'Election' Is Dark, Hilarious, and Cringe-worthy|url=https://www.popmatters.com/election-the-criterion-collection-2532526125.html|url-status=live|website=[[PopMatters]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209230331/https://www.popmatters.com/election-the-criterion-collection-2532526125.html |archive-date=February 9, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 November 1997|title=MTV's ELECTION|url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/306|url-status=live|website=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205181925/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/306 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 }}</ref> most notably in [[Papillion]], [[Bellevue, Nebraska|Bellevue]] and the [[Dundee–Happy Hollow Historic District|Dundee neighborhood]]. [[Papillion-La Vista Senior High School]] portrayed the fictitious Carver High School with many of the background extras being actual enrolled students at the time. Minor scenes were filmed at [[Younkers]] in [[Westroads Mall]], the [[Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska)|Old Market]], and the [[Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium]]. In [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]'s 1997 fiscal report, the film was planned for release in 1998, but was delayed for a year.<ref>https://ir.paramount.com/node/58671/html</ref>

===Alternate ending===
The film's original ending, received poorly by test audiences, was not known until a rough workprint was found in a box of VHS tapes at a yard sale in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-16 |title=See The Original, Unused Ending To Election |url=https://jezebel.com/see-the-original-unused-ending-to-election-5802300 |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Jezebel |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.salon.com/2011/05/17/election_original_ending_payne/ |title=The original ending to Alexander Payne's "Election" |first=Drew |last=Grant |magazine=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/10/elections-alternate-ending/504230/ |title=Election's Alternate Ending |first=Megan |last=Garber |magazine=[[The Atlantic]] |date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> This ending also appears in the third draft of the script, which can be read online.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/election.html|title=ELECTION (Third Draft) |first1=Alexander |last1=Payne |first2=Jim |last2=Taylor |date=July 22, 1997 |access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref> It is faithful to the book: McAllister stays in Omaha and is hired as a used car salesman by one of his former students instead of moving to New York City. Tracy encounters McAllister while looking to buy a car and the two settle their differences before she has him sign her yearbook.

== Release ==
''Election'' was not a box office success as it grossed only $17.2 million against a budget of $8.5-25 million.<ref name="numbers">{{Cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Election |title=Election (1999) - Financial Information |website=The Numbers |access-date=2018-12-17 }}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Election'' received critical acclaim. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds a rating of 92%, based on 116 reviews, with an average rating of 7.90/10. The critical consensus reads, "''Election'' successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film."<ref>{{rotten tomatoes|id=election}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 83 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{Metacritic film}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "B−" on a scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 |access-date= 2019-07-25 }}</ref> It later placed at #5 in the first annual [[Village Voice Film Poll]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.villagevoice.com/2018/02/13/film-poll-top-10-movies-by-year-1999-2016/ |title= Film Poll: Top 10 Movies by Year, 1999-2016 |work= [[Village Voice]] |date= February 13, 2018 |access-date= 2020-08-18 |archive-date= November 28, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171128124107/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/online-film-critics-offer-their-annual-nominations/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and a half out of four stars, praising Witherspoon and Payne: {{cquote|...here is a movie that is not simply about an obnoxious student, but also about an imperfect teacher, a lockstep administration, and a student body that is mostly just marking time until it can go out into the world and occupy valuable space.<ref>{{cite web | date=April 30, 1999 | last= Ebert | first= Roger | author-link= Roger Ebert | url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/election-1999 | title=Election Movie Review (1999) | work=RogerEbert.com | access-date= November 27, 2016}}</ref>}}

[[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety magazine|Variety]]'' wrote: "Brandishes the sort of intelligent wit and bracing nastiness that will make it more appealing to discerning adults than to teens who just want to have fun."<ref name="variety-review">{{cite news|author=McCarthy|first=Todd|author-link=Todd McCarthy|date=April 19, 1999|title=Election|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117492039}}</ref>

[[Desson Howe]] from ''[[The Washington Post]]'' recommended the film, saying it was "the satire of the season, a hilarious, razor-sharp indictment of the American Dream," also praising Payne for finding "a perfect fulcrum between humor and tragedy, between black comedy and poignancy."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Howe|first=Desson|author-link=Desson Howe|date=May 7, 1999|title='Election' Wins By a Landslide|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/electionhowe.htm|url-status=live|access-date=June 9, 2021|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816212311/http://washingtonpost.com:80/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/electionhowe.htm |archive-date=August 16, 2000 }}</ref>

According to Payne, it is also President [[Barack Obama]]'s favorite political film.<ref name="huff-oral">{{cite news |quote=Barack Obama has told me twice that it’s his favorite political film. |last=Jacobs |first=Matthew |title=Pick Flick: An Oral History Of 'Election,' 15 Years Later |date=7 May 2014 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/election-oral-history_n_5248953.html |access-date=26 October 2015 }}</ref>

=== Accolades ===

''Election'' is ranked #61 on [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo's]] "100 Funniest Movies",<ref>{{cite AV media|title=100 Funniest Movies |url=http://www.livemanly.com/?p=132 |publisher=Bravo |date=May 26, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223331/http://www.livemanly.com/?p=132 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead |via=Manroom Magazine}}</ref> #389 on [[Empire (film magazine)|''Empire'']]'s "500 Greatest Movies of All Time"<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Election |url=http://www.empireonline.com/500/22.asp |access-date=3 December 2023 |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007065241/http://www.empireonline.com/500/22.asp |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and #9 on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'''s list of the "50 Best High School Movies",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=50 Best High School Movies |url=https://ew.com/gallery/50-best-high-school-movies-0/?slide=383529#383529 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=2015-08-28}}</ref> while Witherspoon's performance was ranked at #45 on the list of the "100 Greatest Film Performances of All Time" by ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 2006 |title=100 Greatest Performances of All Time |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_premiere_2006-04_19_7/page/n61/mode/2up |magazine=[[Première (magazine)|Premiere]] |page=60 |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! {{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}}
|-
|[[72nd Academy Awards|1999]] || [[Academy Awards]] || [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] || [[Alexander Payne]], [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]] || {{nom}} || align="center" |<ref>{{cite web |title=The 72nd Academy Awards - 2000 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=Oscars.org|date=April 22, 2015 }}</ref>
|-
|[[57th Golden Globe Awards|1999]] || [[Golden Globe Awards]] || [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical|Best Actress - Motion Picture Comedy or Musical]] || [[Reese Witherspoon]] || {{nom}} || align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2000|title= Winners & Nominees 2000|website= goldenglobes.com|access-date= July 15, 2020|archive-date= January 19, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120735/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/2000|url-status= dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[4th Golden Satellite Awards|1999]] || [[Golden Satellite Awards]] || [[Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture|Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical]] || Reese Witherspoon || {{nom}} || align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2000.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203124318/http://pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2000.shtml|archive-date=December 3, 2009|title=2000 4th Annual Satellite Awards|work=[[Satellite Awards]]|publisher=[[International Press Academy|The International Press Academy]]|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=5|[[15th Independent Spirit Awards|1999]] || rowspan=5|[[Independent Spirit Awards]] || [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Film|Best Feature]] || ''Election'' || {{won}} || rowspan=5 align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clinton |first=Paul |date=March 26, 2000 |title='Election' voted best film in Spirit Awards |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/26/spirit.awards/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=CNN}}</ref>
|-
|[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Director|Best Direction]] || Alexander Payne || {{won}}
|-
|[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] || Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor || {{won}}
|-
|[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead|Best Female Lead]] || Reese Witherspoon || {{nom}}
|-
|[[15th Independent Spirit Awards|Best Debut Performance]] || [[Jessica Campbell]] || {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[1999 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|1999]] || rowspan=2|[[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] || [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] || Reese Witherspoon || {{draw |Runner-up}} || rowspan="2" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite news |last=King |first=Susan |date=December 12, 1999 |title=The Insider' Wins Top L.A. Film Critics Award |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-12-me-43179-story.html |access-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[1999 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Next Generation Award]] || rowspan=2|Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor || {{won}}
|-
|[[1999 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|1999]] || [[New York Film Critics Circle]] || [[1999 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|Best Screenplay]] || {{won}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Oliver |date=1999-12-17 |title=N.Y. crix tap 'Turvy' tops |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/n-y-crix-tap-turvy-tops-1117760117/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|[[1999 National Society of Film Critics Awards|1999]] || rowspan=3|[[National Society of Film Critics]] || [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film]] || ''Election'' || {{draw|3rd place}}
| rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKinley |first=Jesse |date=2000-01-10 |title='Malkovich' and 'Topsy-Turvy' Tie for Critics' Prize |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/10/movies/malkovich-and-topsy-turvy-tie-for-critics-prize.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
|-
|[[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] || Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor || {{draw|2nd place}}
|-
|[[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] || Reese Witherspoon || {{won}}
|-
|[[National Board of Review Awards 1999|1999]] || [[National Board of Review]] || [[National Board of Review Awards 1999|Excellence in filmmaking]] || ''Election'' || {{won}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Award Winners {{!}} 1999 Awards Gala |url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1999/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=National Board of Review}}</ref>
|-
|[[52nd Writers Guild of America Awards|1999]] || [[Writers Guild of America Awards]] || [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] || Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor || {{won}}
|align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Previous Nominees & Winners |url=http://awards.wga.org/wga-awards/previous-nominees-winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328130331/http://awards.wga.org/wga-awards/previous-nominees-winners |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=Writers Guild Awards}}</ref>
|}

==Home media==
''Election'' was released on [[DVD]] on October 19, 1999, and [[Blu-ray]] on January 20, 2009. A special edition Blu-ray was released by [[The Criterion Collection]] on December 16, 2017, with a [[4K resolution|4K]] restoration of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election |url=https://www.criterion.com/films/29335-election |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=The Criterion Collection |language=en}}</ref>

== Sequel ==
In December 2022, it was announced that a film adaptation of the novel's 2022 sequel, ''[[Tracy Flick Can't Win]]'', was being developed for [[Paramount+]]. Witherspoon is slated to reprise her role as Tracy Flick and co-produce under her [[Hello Sunshine (company)|Hello Sunshine]] banner, while Payne would return to direct and co-write with Jim Taylor.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Reese Witherspoon to Star in 'Election' Sequel 'Tracy Flick Can't Win' at Paramount+ |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/reese-witherspoon-election-sequel-tracy-flick-cant-win-1235454271/ |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Variety}}</ref> A year later, while promoting ''[[The Holdovers]]'' (2023), Payne reiterated interest in the project, but would like to pursue other projects first.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Devore |first=Britta |date=September 20, 2023 |title='Election' Sequel Is Already Written, Says Alexander Payne |url=https://collider.com/election-2-reese-witherspoon-alexander-payne-comments/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Payne said that he wants to make a loose adaptation of the novel with Taylor that included Broderick's Jim McAllister character, as well as divert from the high school setting of the novel, attributing to his averseness to "making another high school movie," saying: {{cquote|I did ''Election.'' I did ''Holdovers.'' There are bits and pieces of it in ''[[Sideways]],'' and [[Hung (TV series)|a pilot I did]], so I’m a little over it, so Jim and I are talking right now about how can we adapt that novel faithfully, but loosely, and put our own voice into it. We’ll get there. We’re not quite there, but we’ll get there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Edward |date=November 9, 2023 |title='Election' Sequel: Alexander Payne Says He Wants Matthew Broderick Back & To "Loosely" Adapt The Book That Doesn't Include His Character |url=https://theplaylist.net/election-sequel-alexander-payne-says-he-wants-matthew-broderick-back-to-loosely-adapt-the-book-that-doesnt-include-his-character-20231109/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=The Playlist}}</ref>}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0126886}}
* {{rotten tomatoes|election}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{mojo title|election}}
* [https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/5189-election-that-s-why-it-s-destiny ''Election: That’s Why It’s Destiny''] an essay by [[Dana Stevens (critic)|Dana Stevens]] at the [[Criterion Collection]]
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/01/23/34-best-political-movies-ever-made/ Ann Hornaday, "The 34 best political movies ever made" ''The Washington Post'' (Jan. 23, 2020)], ranked #16

{{Alexander Payne}}
{{Independent Spirit Award for Best Film}}
{{MTV Films}}

[[Category:1999 films]]
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[[Category:1999 independent films]]
[[Category:1990s high school films]]
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