Comedy/Drama. Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez. Director: Joshua Michael Stern.

ON NOVEMBER 4, more than 100 million voters will cast their ballots for the next President and Vice-President of the United States. What happens when the outcome of such an election rests uneasily on the shoulders of a man who takes more interest in the contents of his beer glass than poverty, education and intolerance?

How low would Capitol Hill stoop to curry this drunken wastrel’s favour — rewrite an entire manifesto, or use blatant bribery or blackmail?

Swing Vote is a gentle and surprisingly sweet comedy that lampoons the electoral process, as seen through the bloodshot eyes of factory worker Bud Johnson (Costner). While the rest of his compatriots go to the polls, Bud seeks out his favourite bar stool.

In despair, his precocious 12-year-old daughter Molly (Carroll) secretly votes in his place. His verdict, it transpires, will break the political deadlock between President Andrew Boone (Grammar), and charismatic challenger Donald Greenleaf (Hopper). So a media circus decamps outside Bud’s trailer in Texico, New Mexico.

At first, Bud is seduced by inducements from the opposing parties. However, as voting day approaches, the single father begins to appreciate the gravity of his situation and he turns to Molly to guide him through the moral maze and prevent him looking foolish in front of pretty local TV reporter Kate Madison (Patton).

The ending feels contrived and avoids favouritism by portraying both candidates as decent, intelligent, caring men full of compassion. Artistic licence at its best.