The Campaign, directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents), takes American politics to the gutter, reaping a flawed system for comedic profit. An undefeated North Carolina congressman, Cam Brady (Will Ferrell), comes up against Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), a puppet of two CEOs looking to exploit a lucrative opportunity, and the battle ensues. Ferrell’s performance is a hybrid of his SNL George W. Bush and Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy—American politician spoof mixed with narcissism. Galifianakis makes an entertaining family man who is well meaning, but slow. The Campaign is a critique of American politics that is sometimes just an excuse for potty humour, but also has its fair share of relevant satire. The Campaign attempts to illustrate some greater moral truth that’s beyond the scope of its two-dimensional characters. Roach was wise to leave it at an hour and a half—any longer would be too much
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2012.