‘Irresistible’ too snarky for satire

After the devastating loss of the 2016 presidential election, Democratic consultant Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) aims to bounce back by latching onto a small-town Wisconsin man, Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper). Caught on camera giving an eloquent speech about overcoming differences, Hastings goes viral, and, presuming the town to be Trump country, Zimmer thinks it’s just what the party needs to recalibrate and encourages Hastings to run for mayor. As the race attracts national interest, Republican consultant Faith Brewster (Rose Byrne) rolls into town to support the incumbent (Brent Sexton).

Written and directed by Jon Stewart, the film is far too snarky to be considered satire. While Wisconsin may be a target on late-night shows for certain Midwest stereotypes — this writer grew up near Milwaukee, and yes, the state sure does have nice folks and great beer and cheese — the premise just misses the mark. Gary constantly belittles Hastings and his campaign for assuming small-town conservatism without anyone demonstrating it; then when the town pulls one over on him, it’s played as a big reveal, that we should be surprised these people had the know-how to do so.

With the film not shot in Wisconsin and not featuring one single hearty Wisconsin accent, Gary’s disregard for the Midwest is a fair analogy for how the film treats the region, too. Throw in the odd coupling of Gary and Hastings’ daughter, Diana (the always great Mackenzie Davis), as well as the odder relationship between Gary and Faith, and this is a tale that is absolutely resistible. Available on DVD the week of Sept. 1.

Also new on DVD Sept. 1

■ “Rogue”: A hired gun (Megan Fox) sets off with a team to Africa on a rescue mission.

■ “Z”: A boy’s imaginary friend wreaks havoc.

■ Out on digital HD Sept. 1

■ “Bill & Ted Face the Music”: A sequel to 1991’s “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” the film follows the pair of friends as a time traveler reveals their music can save humanity. Stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter.

■ “Children of the Sea”: A girl feels a supernatural connection to two boys who mysteriously arrive at the aquarium where her father works in this animated film. Stars vocal talents of Mana Ashida, Hiiro Ishibashi and Seishu Uragami. In Japanese.

■ “A Night of Horror: Nightmare Radio”: A radio host ( James Wright) receives disturbing calls from a child.

■ “The Wind Rises”: Hayao Miyazaki’s 2013 animated film follows the early life of Japanese aerospace engineer Jiro Horikoshi. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray Sept. 22.

Out on digital HD Sept. 4

■ “Mulan”: A young woman (Liu Yifei) passes as a man to save her ill father from having to serve in the Imperial Army as invaders make their way to northern China.

■ “Still Here”: A journalist ( Johnny Whitworth) crosses professional boundaries as he searches for a missing girl he was assigned to write about.