May the best loser win.|Aug. 09, 2012|USA|85 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy
Description: **The Campaign (2012)**
**Plot Summary:**
Democratic Congressman Camden Brady, who has been unchallenged in the fictional 14th District of North Carolina, finds himself in trouble when his affair with a supporter is exposed, threatening his fifth-term campaign. Meanwhile, two corrupt businessmen, Glenn and Wade Motch, convince local tour guide Martin Huggins to run as Camden’s Republican opponent. The Motch brothers secretly plan to use Martin as a pawn to advance their profitable scheme with a Chinese company.
Martin, under the guidance of campaign manager Tim Wattley (who is also funded by the Motch brothers), is transformed into a charismatic entrepreneur and family man. His strong performance in the first debate against Camden, where he vows to bring jobs back to North Carolina, wins over the audience. Tensions escalate during a town hall debate when Martin uses a childhood story written by Camden to accuse him of communist sympathies, sparking a physical altercation between the candidates and their supporters.
Camden’s campaign faces further setbacks when he accidentally punches a dog and a baby, both incidents intended to harm Martin. In retaliation, Camden tries to smear Martin by portraying him as an Al Qaeda sympathizer, based on Martin’s facial hair. Amid the chaos, Camden’s son adopts his father’s aggressive tactics in his own school election campaign, making Camden realize he is setting a poor example.
Camden attempts to make peace with Martin but ends up drunk and arrested for driving under the influence after Martin reports him. Martin then releases a campaign ad featuring Camden’s son calling Martin “dad.” Enraged, Camden seduces Martin’s wife, Mitzi, secretly records their encounter, and uses it as a campaign advertisement, further intensifying the bitter rivalry between the two candidates.
Cast director: Jay Roach
Cast actor: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Katherine LaNasa, Dylan McDermott, Sarah Baker, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Cox, Karen Maruyama
Original name: The Campaign