It's a sentiment Capra might well have echoed, though he would surely have punched up the gags while he was at it.

The film varies between ironic cynicism about the political process and overt whimsy and sentimentality.

The blend between surreal satire and sentiment isn't always comfortable but the set-up is intriguing and Costner nails the part.

Swing Vote, like Costner's protagonist, is too benign to go for the jugular and settles instead for tickling us gently in the ribs.