What I liked
The story pushes so far into extremes that you can’t help laughing. I love the twists and turns, particularly surrounding the overall premise and around Senator Lionel Humphrey. The characters could easily fall into being caricatures, but the cast grounds them with a ton of heart and relatability. The direction and momentum keeps the story moving forward to the point that there is never a dull moment.
What I didn't like
It’s super clear that this has gone through numerous iterations because it is tight and very difficult to critique.
My overall impression
In a world saturated by truly awful politicians doing truly awful things, Vote for Tom Ryan manages to critique American Politics without dwelling on the negativity that could trigger most audience members. The story serves as satire of political corruption with enough distance from actual politics to craft a story that both has a message and is laugh-out-loud hilarious. The characters are so clear and well written that you can’t help fall in love with each of them despite their flaws. The cast’s performances are big, bold, memorable, and packed with physical comedy. Tom Ryan is a surprisingly heartwarming and nostalgic take on the absurdity of American Politics.
