Recount | Rotten Tomatoes

Recount

TV-MA

2008

1h 57m

Drama

List

79%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this dramatization of the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore concedes the presidency to George W. Bush, but recants when he learns of irregularities in the Florida vote count. Democratic strategists Ron Klain (Kevin Spacey) and Michael Whouley (Denis Leary) race to Florida to uncover the truth, as do Republicans under James Baker (Tom Wilkinson). Between faulty voting equipment and the vagaries of Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris (Laura Dern), a 36-day stalemate ensues.

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Critics Consensus

Recount deftly brings a controversial chapter of electoral history to dramatic life with a compelling cast, although some viewers may take issue with its conclusions.

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Audience Member

Interesting film. I don't even remember it coming out. I do believe after seeing this film that there were some illegal shenanigans involved. I think the counting mishaps were innocent mistakes, but the registration purges were outright rigging! As a film, though, it held my interest fairly well.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If you want insight into how polarizing American politics are then this is for you. People will lie, cheat, and steal to get their way even if it means sacrificing what makes us great as a country. Enjoyed the performances and thought the story was compelling.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

steve d

Not a happy story but an important one entertainingly told,

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Twenty years later and the rank corruption and stupidity on display seem both familiar and quaint by today's standards, as the farce has only gained force, so that if the buffoonery here seems a bit too on the nose, it's only because both parties are full of clowns donning those big round red honkers. This gets 2.5 hanging chad for being more accurate than entertaining, and yet somehow less entertaining than the actual attempts at counting votes accurately by the electoral circus in Florida.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It shows how Republicans had no scruples whatsoever to make Bush win. A political thriller that takes you into the most controversial election of the United States. A film you must not miss!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The outcome may have already been seen prior to the film's start, but the tense atmospheric journey on the recount actually brings you back to that time and briefly makes you forget who won the 2000 election because you get caught on from a suspenseful perspective, while witnessing the unsurprising revelatory of suspicious conservatively countering lengths that becomes a little more thought-provoking at a supposed exposing rate. Understandable hesitance considering the current political climate should be able to find worthy acceptance on what this docudrama is capable of in transportation by a brilliant cast towards a roughly-decaying message that manageably solidifies the possibly satisfying resolution in the final minutes. (B+) (Full review TBD)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Jay Roach

Director

Kevin Spacey

Ron Klain

Bob Balaban

Ben Ginsberg

Ed Begley Jr.

David Boies

Laura Dern

Katherine Harris

John Hurt

Warren Christopher

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Joanne Ostrow

Denver Post

Given its timeliness, "Recount" is a painful sort of fun, and likely a great argument starter.

Mar 30, 2020

Full Review

Hal Boedeker

Orlando Sentinel

The cable channel has taken a difficult, divisive topic and turned it into a clear, fast-moving thriller with comical overtones.

Jun 14, 2018

Full Review

Barrie Hardymon

NPR

It's so suspenseful that it's easy to forget that you already know how it ends.

Jun 13, 2018

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a matter-of-fact drama that's rarely as engrossing or captivating as one might've anticipated...

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 10, 2020

Full Review

Tom Gliatto

People Magazine

The movie isn't subtle... but it takes on a big subject and gives it a light spin.

Jun 14, 2018

Full Review

Travis Fickett

IGN Movies

This film does an honest and fair job of presenting the facts in as complete a picture as two hours could possibly allow.

Rated: 9.5/10

Jun 14, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this dramatization of the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore concedes the presidency to George W. Bush, but recants when he learns of irregularities in the Florida vote count. Democratic strategists Ron Klain (Kevin Spacey) and Michael Whouley (Denis Leary) race to Florida to uncover the truth, as do Republicans under James Baker (Tom Wilkinson). Between faulty voting equipment and the vagaries of Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris (Laura Dern), a 36-day stalemate ensues.

Director: Jay Roach
Screenwriter: Danny Strong
Production Co: HBO Films
Rating: TV-MA (L)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2016
Runtime: 1h 57m

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