10. Election
Reece Witherspoon might have first come to attention after appearing in 1998's Pleasantville, but it was the following year's Election which marked her as an actor to watch - she picked up the Best Actress at the Golden Globe awards and hasn't looked back since. The name Alexander Payne on the writing and directing credits should tell movie fans all they need to know about Election - Payne is one of the very few directors working in the industry today who has final cut rights on his films. Election demonstrates how he's earned a reputation which warrants this privilege - it's a witty, sardonic, bitterly cynical and frequently amusing swipe at electoral politics, migrated to the microcosm of a high school election. Matthew Broderick deserves a special mention for his portrayal of Jim McAllister, the downtrodden teacher who becomes embroiled in Tracy Flick's (Witherspoon) bid for class president. Their chemistry really brings Payne's script to life.