Game Change is a political drama that portrays the unprecedented and turbulent Republican presidential campaign of the 2008 elections, with particular focus on the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate. The film is based on the popular book of the same name written by journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann.
The story begins with John McCain (played by Ed Harris) struggling to gain momentum in his bid for the presidency. In an effort to shake things up and appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party, he selects the charismatic but relatively unknown Alaskan governor Sarah Palin (Julianne Moore) as his running mate.
Initially, Palin's folksy charm and outsider appeal cause a surge of excitement in the campaign. However, as the campaign heats up, Palin's lack of experience and tendency to make embarrassing gaffes becomes a major liability for the campaign. Her interviews with the media are often cringe-worthy, and her knowledge of foreign policy and other crucial issues is found wanting.
As tensions mount within the campaign, McCain's team frantically tries to prepare Palin for the vice presidential debate and other crucial events. However, no amount of coaching seems to help, and the campaign is increasingly beset by scandals and missteps.
Despite the challenges, Palin remains a popular figure with her base, and the film explores the broader cultural and political divides that characterized the 2008 election. Ultimately, the film portrays the complex and tumultuous nature of American politics, and the high stakes involved for all those involved in a presidential campaign.