Grassroots

Although it only glosses the mechanics of local politics, it exudes an endearingly scruffy charm.

Perhaps the most curious omission from the movie Grassroots is that there's no mention at all of the classic "Simpsons" episode "Marge vs. the Monorail."

Registers like a quaint display of local color.

A campaign movie for viewers who, if they care about politics at all, certainly don't require the full Sorkin treatment.

Factor in a questionable use of 9/11 footage, and this is one film as misguided as the business-as-usual subject it aims to critique.

At first glance, Grassroots doesn't seem like much of an idea for a movie. Nor at second, third or fourth glance. Your fifth glance will be at your watch, and at sixth glance your eyelids will be getting very, very heavy.

It isn't entirely clear what Stephen Gyllenhaal sees in the material apart from some lukewarm raging against the machine.