Recently Watched: Recount
Recount directed by Jay Roach — Remember the long past 2000 election in which we waited weeks to hear a verdict? This HBO film tells the story of what went on behind the scenes, while I was busy being a depressed freshman in college who hardly noticed that there was an election crisis on our hands. If, like me, you have vague memories of what transpired during those two months, this film is a must-see. The cast includes Kevin Spacey, Laura Dern, John Hurt, and Denis Leary, among others, and Jay Roach was also behind popular projects like “Borat”, “Meet the Parents,” “Austin Powers” and more.
In addition to telling the story of this historical election, the film raises the controversial issue of election fraud, one which, coincidentally, as been discussed at length over the course of the past eight years and, more recently, in a Rolling Stone article titled “Block the Vote.” In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed in order to remedy the errors of the 2000 election. The goals of HAVA are, according to Wikipedia,
• replace punch card voting systems;
• create the Election Assistance Commission to assist in the administration of Federal elections; and
• establish minimum election administration standards.
When nearly two million ballots were discarded in 2000 (because they registered more than one vote, or no vote at all, when passed through the ballot reader), HAVA was created to give the American public peace of mind. However, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Greg Palast have determined in their article,
…thanks to new provisions of the Help America Vote Act, the number of discounted votes could surge even higher…HAVA was corrupted by the involvement of Republican superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, who worked to cram the bill with favors for his clients…In practice, many of the “reforms” created by HAVA have actually made it harder for citizens to cast a ballot and have their vote counted. In case after case, Republican election officials at the local and state level have used the rules to give GOP candidates an edge on Election Day by creating new barriers to registration, purging legitimate names from voter rolls, challenging voters at the polls and discarding valid ballots.
“Recount” provides a look at the inescapable reality buried deep within our government and, unfortunately, the possibility that corruption and fraud are systemic truths. Perhaps, on certain occasions, your vote doesn’t count, despite the election rhetoric we have all grown accustomed to. Perhaps, no matter who wins today’s historical presidential race, the United States will face four years with a leader not chosen by the people, but by the system itself.
8 responses so far
I have yet to see this, but I heard it was decent. It was filmed in my city, too! (Yay Tallahassee)
I saw this with the girlfriend late one night. I thought it was OK, although that could have to do with my being sleepy while watching it. I remember being a very angry 12 year-old even if I didn’t really care about politics back then. I didn’t understand the electoral college fully.
Call me idealistic but I would think my vote is more than just a symbol.
I was a 15-year old sophomore in high school during this election. I remember The Daily Show’s “Indecision 2000″ series of episodes, as well as a gross misunderstanding of the election process. I wish I had been more aware, more grasping of the momentous events of the time. Witnessing this election tonight, and taking the lessons from 2000, I definitely have a lot of hope for our future now though acknowledge we have a lot of work ahead of us. Dear god I hope this lasts.
Was I the only one here of actual voting age when this went down??
(but I’m Canadian, so I watched it from the outside)
It does sound like a fascinating watch, though.
(oops… you probably were of voting age. I was just commenting on the people above– they made me feel old
)
Recount was a great film. It really shows the situation in such a clear way as it has never been presented before. It’s amazing that this was allowed to take place in our nation. We must never let it happen again.
@PP -nope…..I was legal AND am also Canadian. I remember just shaking my head and ordering another beer. C’mon gang, just follow the Canadian way- we throw a beaver tooth in a bag and 5th graders across the country count ‘em up as a math project. Seems to work…..
Lauren, I think it’s a must-see for anyone who has interest in US elections.
Kendall, Idealistic, yes. However, after this recent election, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate my views of “the system.”
kja, As someone who wasn’t of voting age when this election took place, you must watch Recount. It was one of the most informative things I’ve seen — until this film, I had no idea how much fraudulence occurs with each passing election.
Princess Pointful, I was of voting age and, though I kind of had my head in the sand, I was baffled by what was occurring at the time. However, this film gave an incredible look at the things we never knew.
SamGrace, I couldn’t agree with you more.