The Campaign

2012
R
1h 25m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

138K

YOUR RATING

Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in The Campaign (2012)

When long-term congressman Cam Brady commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naive Marty Huggins, director of the local Tourism Center.

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Satire Slapstick Comedy

An incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.An incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.An incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no-holds-barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brothers.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

138K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total

Trivia
Note the size of Cam Brady's (Will Ferrell's) U.S. Flag lapel pin. As he begins to flounder in the polls, the flag grows until it is at least four to five times larger than the original.

Goofs
At the end of the movie, Marty Huggins reveals a giant scar running across his torso, an injury he received as a very young child; photos showing a teenage Marty Huggins in a swim suit do not show this scar.

Quotes
Marty Huggins: Wouldn't you like to hear Cam Brady recite the Lord's Prayer?
Cam Brady: If the media would mind turning off all their recording devices and closing their eyes.
[observes Mitch helping him]
Cam Brady: Our Father, Art, who is up in Heaven. Aloe Vera be thy name. The thigh... Thy kingdom... come... the magic kingdom. As it is on Earth in a helicopter. Give us this day our daily... pizza. And let us digest it. Forgive us, forgive our passes we forget sometimes. On women folk with their... to dine, like that is a nice caboose you got there.
[is cut off]
Cam Brady: That's not part of it, I know that. Keep your heads bowed please. Forgive our tress passes. And lead us not into the Temptations for we are tired of their music and dancing. And deliver us from evil with your sword and mighty falcon. Forever and ever and ever. Amen.

Crazy credits
During the credits there is an additional scene depicting the trial with Motch brothers. The scene also partly explains the origins of Tim Wattley.

Alternate versions
An Extended Cut running an extra 10 minutes is available on the Blu-ray. As well as inserting new scenes not seen in the theatrical cut, the drunk-driving scene plays out in a significantly different way. Cam has new dialogue as he steals the cop car, and he doesn't lose control and hit a cow - he realises what he's done, turns the car around (hitting a dumpster) and then drives back to the cop, who arrests him.

Connections
Featured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.117 (2012)

Soundtracks
Gold on the Ceiling
Written by Dan Auerbach, Patrick J. Carney (as Patrick Carney) and Danger Mouse (as Brian Burton)
Performed by The Black Keys
Courtesy of Nonesuch Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User reviews214

Review

Featured review

6/10

Not too bad - a decent parody of US politics

Cam Brady (played by Will Ferrell) is a veteran politician and congressman. However, the power-brokers/people with the money in his party decide that he is a liability to the party and find another candidate to run against him, Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis). The campaign is going to be a dirty one...

Not too bad. Has some very funny lines and scenes and does parody American politics quite well. However, it does get mired in empty sentimentality and sub-plots that go nowhere. Plus, neither of the contenders are likable, leaving no "hero" to support.

Good performance from Will Ferrell. Zach Galifianakis' character was particularly irritating, but hard to fault the performance too much. Good support from Jason Sudeikis and Dylan McDermott, plus from John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd and Brian Cox in minor roles.