The Man of the Year Funny
"Man of the Year" is a very good political thriller/comedy that will suffer at the box office because of its misleading marketing campaign.
"Man of the Year" tells the story of Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) a political comedian (like Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert) who has his own television show. On his show he talks about all sorts of things but his main focus are political issues which he is very opinionated about. One day on his show, a fan from the audience raises the idea that Dobbs should run for President of the United States. After that episode aired, millions flocked to the web to create various petitions and voice their opinions on why Dobbs would make a great candidate for the President for the United States. A few weeks later, Dobbs decides to run for President and low and behold wins the election. Everything seems to be going as planned until a woman by the name of Eleanor Green (Laura Linney) shows up and starts some controversy regarding his position. A funny yet serious political thriller ensues
Man anyone walking into this film expecting to see a brainless comedy will surely be disappointed. I always wonder how some people are film marketers when I see how misleading their marketing campaigns. "Man of the Year" is a great example of bad and misleading marketing, because everything from the poster, to the trailer, to the online advertisements makes this movie look and feel like a comedy. I would honestly have to say about 1/3 of the film is funny while the rest of it plays off as a political thriller that makes good arguments and allows its audience to think. I kind of wonder in this case if the marketing was done on purpose since this film addresses pretty serious issues in-between its comedy routine.
But enough about marketing, lets get down to the film itself.
I really liked "Man of the Year" even though I was expecting to see a comedy instead of a serious film. One of the many things I will give this film credit for is that the film does a decent job switching between comedy and drama even though at first it seems a little awkward. I really think that after you figure this out that the movie is going to be more of a political thriller than a comedy you get comfortable with it. Some may not because they are lead to believe that they are seeing a comedy and don't understand what this film is trying to say in the end but for those people they can blame the marketers for not advertising this film right.
"Man of the Year" talks about a lot of things and seems to have a very strong opinion. As Tom Dobbs speaks he is saying things that need to be said and isn't about candy coating them. I also think the whole political subplot, while most critics say hurt the film probably again because of the misleading marketing, was very good. The idea of computerize voting has been tossed around the last few years and with all the problems computers have the issue being addressed in this film could surely be realistic. Also the control big businesses have over voting also gets addressed.
As far as acting goes, I think everyone involved did a good job. Robin Williams had a chance to be funny yet serious at the same time by playing Tom Dobbs. Some say that Williams has overstayed his welcome as a comedian but I personally still think he is funny and he's a good serious actor as well. This is probably one of the few occasions though that we get to see him go back and forth from serious to funny and I think it works well. Also it's nice to see Lewis Black co-star in a decent film. Again I like Black when he appears on "The Daily Show" and does stand up however most of the films he has been in were awful. This was a good movie for him because I think his political views fit in with the story that director Barry Levinson was trying to convey. Laura Linney is a fine addition to the cast and proves once again that she is a very good actress and lastly Christopher Walken and Jeff Goldblum both do a very good job as always with this roles handed to them.
"Man of the Year" was written and directed by Barry Levinson, the man who has brought us such films as "Rain Man," "Good Morning Vietnam," and "Wag the Dog." Levinson does a fine job writing the film and directing it. Like I said I know a lot of critics didn't like the whole political thriller aspect of the film but I thought it fit in nicely. It was actually nice to watch a mainstream movie that allowed me to both think and laugh at the same time. Barry Levinson did a fine job with this film.
In the end, don't go into this film expecting to see the movie that the commercials are selling you. It does have laughs but at the same time it plays off more as a political drama. It's not as stupid or silly as the marketing campaign leads you to believe. I really liked the fact that this film that this film wasn't a typical Hollywood film. It tried to be a comedy and a serious drama at the same time and worked at least for me. I like the fact that the film didn't really tone down any of the issues it addressed nor did it have a typical Hollywood ending. I was trying to call the ending from the get go but surprisingly it didn't end the way I thought which made me happy. It's a movie that will make you laugh but then a few minutes later allow you to think and wonder what's going to happen next. I think its a good movie that will be hurt by its bad marketing.
186 out of 218 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
It's all just very frustrating
Warning: Spoilers
Man of the Year reviewed by Sam Osborn
Frustrating is a good word to describe Man of the Year; frustrating because one half of this film shines. This half moves with ease and works off the unshakable glow of Robin Williams. The other half—the evil half, if you will—works more like an infection: relatively harmless at first, but fatal and sort of repulsive when left untreated. What could have been a sweetly charming comedy is left suspending all means of reality to turn this wickedly funny political affair into a silly farce of a thriller.
Robin Williams plays Tom Dobbs, a kind of fictional counterpart to Jon Stewart. Like Mr. Stewart, Dobbs hosts a nightly comedy talk show that discusses the absurd nature of current political news. In Dobbs' world—and more than likely, in ours—more people obtain their knowledge of current events through Dobbs' nightly sketch than from valid news sources. He's so popular in fact, that when one member of the audience suggests that he run for president in the upcoming election Dobbs takes it seriously. His campaign is fostered through a grassroots internet movement that manages to put him on thirteen of the fifty states' ballots and into the last of three national debates between the two party-aligned candidates.
This segment requires that, yes, we suspend some belief in Director/Writer Barry Levinson's vision of reality. Could a talk show host with no political background really rise to such presidential heights? Probably not. But it's plausible enough. The true deception comes with the ornery sub-plot that Levinson plunks down like an anchor into this prim and simple tale. A new voting system has been implemented into the upcoming election, created by the corporation Delacroy. Eleanor Green (Laura Linney), an employee for Delacroy happens to find a glitch in the voting system only weeks before the national election. Her alarm is muffled by the legal head of the corporation, Alan Stewart (Jeff Goldblum), and her reputation put to tatters by a cocktail injection of illegal drugs a shadowy man sent from Delacroy gives her. And so when Dobbs wins the presidency by way of the glitch in the Delacroy voting system, Eleanor must evade assassination from corporate hit men and alert Dobbs to his undeserving position.
I think it must first be said that I'm rarely one to penalize a film for lack of realism. In my opinion, a suspension of reality must align with the function of the film. Spiderman, for instance, doesn't require many laws of physics, while a film like Apollo 13 does. With Man of the Year, I have no issue overlooking Tom Dobbs rising to Presidential Elect, if it's a concession needed for the film to exist. At the same time, however, I find it difficult to believe that Ms. Green discovered the glitch in the Delacroy voting system by inadvertently testing the program at population volumes similar to those used during actual elections. The glitch is an alphabetical problem: candidates with pairs of letters that appear earlier in that alphabet will inevitably win the election (Dobbs beat Mills, for instance). Don't you think that the American Government might have tested this little gem of computer programming before relying on it to monitor the nation's votes? I think so.
Should I be easier on this small puddle of disbelief? Well, I would if the subplot seemed at all necessary; which it doesn't. The Delacroy plot begins as an annoying thread but weaves itself into the delicate fabric of the entire tale. Soon, instead of following Mr. Dobbs' witty rise to power, we follow Ms. Green as she partakes in car chases, whispered phone calls, and FBI posturing. It's not exciting, it isn't thrilling, and it's certainly not tragic. Don't even ask if these segments are funny. When Dobbs could be grappling with the American political system and driving the film into a quiet and smarmily hilarious character comedy, Director Levinson chickens out and plays it dumb with this Delacroy farce.
It's all just very frustrating, I suppose. Christopher Walken, Lewis Black, and Robin Williams are a comedic force. And allowing Williams to drift off into his own stand-up material was an ingenious creative decision. Mr. Levinson even has a convincing grasp on current politics and manages dozens of jokes surrounding them. And so why fall back on this Delacroy nonsense? Bah! i say. What a shame. Rating: 2 out of 4
Sam Osborn
60 out of 87 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
timely and funny, a worth see!
Warning: Spoilers
I completely disagree with the other comments! I too saw this film at an early screening and found it quite enjoyable. Robin Williams is in top form. True, the tone is familiar, but it is Williams of Good Morning Vietnam: smart, funny, on point. After too many dark turns, Williams is finally back to what he does best. The supporting actors give great performances, especially Laura Linney and Chris Walken. Chris plays himself, as usual, but as the "agent" to the next president he was a delight each time on screen. Lewis Black plays only himself basically, but he is wonderfully well used here. There is also a fun turn by Jeff Goldblum. The movie is more than what the trailer suggests, as well. The movie is funny, but it is not a pure comedy as suggested. It has a bit of a thriller line, which everyone should seriously consider, especially if you pay attention to the newspaper.
82 out of 115 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Is to comedy what The Village was to horror
Okay, I wasn't sure about this movie prior to going. I read the four or five reviews and they said it wasn't a comedy. Therefore, I expected it to be a thriller like they said.
Well, they weren't exactly correct. It is funny, and no, not all the humor is in the trailer. I agree, this is not just a comedy, it's a dramady (drama/comedy) But if you know that going in, you won't be as disappointed. It is similar to Barry Levinsons other comedies, funny but also has some deep drama.
This movie was advertised wrong, much like The Village. But it is still a good movie
100 out of 157 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Quaint political satire with notches of comedy, Williams shines again with Levinson at side
A political satire of a comedian (Williams) who after dissing the political campaigns and presidents is forced into the running. But shockingly we wins and makes a mockery of the office. "Man of the Year" is not the funniest movie nor the best but in small doses it does work. Williams again teaming with Levinson after a hit with "Good Morning, Vietnam". The two seem to have a great chemistry and work off each other. I am not comparing them to Scorsese and DeNiro but you can get the picture. Although I wouldn't quite say to rush out there and see the movie in theaters I would recommend renting it. This movie is a comedy but also has a great satire, please if you like movies like "Scary Movie 4" this is not for you, take your brain with you to see it. - ***
32 out of 48 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
It started so good...
The premise of this movie, of a comedian talk show host running for president as an independent just to shake things up, is funny, entertaining, brilliant and even a bit inspiring. (thought about the west wing debate when Tom Dobbs leaves his podium, thought about Steven Colbert announcing his candidacy, good times) The first 15 - 20 minutes of this movie are therefore very very entertaining, the debate especially. When he eventually get's elected, it's a pity that is because of a computer glitch, you'd want him to win fair (although that is unrealistic).
But after that this movie goes completely downhill. I thought we'd get a great movie like 'Dave' (1993) in which we see how it would out if a comedian actually ran the country. Instead, the movie turns from comedy into a thriller, a romantic comedy and a drama and does none good. The computer glitch becomes the main storyline, which really sucks. Boy is this disappointing. I give it 3 stars just for the premise and because I actually managed to watch this movie from start to end without stopping it, which is usually a good thing with me.
15 out of 20 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
a comedian is elected President - or was he?
Robin Williams is "Man of the Year" in this 2006 film also starring Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, and Jeff Goldblum. Williams plays comedian Tom Dobbs, a Jon Stewart type who decides to run for President. He gives great speeches, filled with humor, and ruins a televised debate against the incumbent, but wins a standing ovation. He wins.
Laura Linney plays Eleanor Green, who works for the company that developed the new, state of the art voting system, and she realizes that there was a problem with it, and that Dobbs did not win the election. Her superiors absolutely don't want it to come out. Posing as someone from the FBI, she is able to approach the President-elect but gets caught up in his humor and his friendly entourage and doesn't tell him. Meanwhile, the company has gotten rid of her and is taking any steps it can to discredit her.
I knew nothing of this film going in, so I didn't know that it was incorrectly marketed. I found the film an easy mix of hilarious comedy, mostly Williams' routines, and some true drama. This is never easy to do, and often, a film like this doesn't know what it wants to be. That's not the case with "Man of the Year," and I think Levinson's approach is successful. Mostly this is because Robin Williams can do anything - he's a riot, he's warm, he can do real drama, and here he does a wonderful job. Laura Linney gives a terrific performance as a woman who finds herself in terrible trouble as she tries to right a wrong.
Very good movie with a good cast.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
The nation has spoken...but the result questionable.
Warning: Spoilers
Over the years, I've come to be a fan of director/writer Barry Levinson and he didn't let me down with this very funny look at politics. Popular TV comedian Tom Dobbs(Robin Williams)has enlightened the nation with his scathing jokes about the state of the country and elected politicians responsible. Night after night, he has his fans rolling in the isles; then the question is proposed that Dobbs run for president himself. His manager Jack Menken(Christopher Walken)says go for it. Dobb's flippant truisms flames a grass-root movement that puts him on the ballot. Comedian to President-Elect. Meanwhile, a young woman(Laura Linney)finds a flaw in the computer system that will count the ballots coast to coast. My favorite sequence is Linney's meltdown in the coffee shop.Williams is absolutely hysterical with his rapid quips. Others of note in the cast: Jeff Goldblum, Lewis Black and Rick Roberts.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Two Very Different Stories In One Movie Seemed Awkward To Me
Warning: Spoilers
I found this movie to be ... awkward. It wasn't bad. There are parts of it that are actually quite good. But it struck me as what you might call overly ambitious. There are basically two movies here. They're certainly connected; in fact in the context of this movie they're inseparable. But they're very different stories, and the combination of the two was - again - awkward.
After what I thought was a pretty slow start with what was a rather lengthy narration style opening from Christopher Walken, playing Jack Menken, who was the manager for Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams), the movie started out really well. Dobbs is a political satirist, a la Jon Stewart. On his TV talk show he skewers politicians and rants against the system, and then suddenly and unexpectedly declares his candidacy for President of the United States. Starting out as a serious campaigner, he cuts loose as the political satirist he really is during a televised debate, his campaign catches fire and he gets elected, to everyone's surprise. This was working for me - and it was working really well. It wasn't outrageously funny, but it was a wonderful poke at the system, and I was seriously looking forward to seeing Dobbs poking the system from inside as he takes over the Oval Office.
Then comes the awkwardness, as a completely unnecessary storyline gets introduced. The United States was trying out a new computer-based voting system. Now, I may not be an American but I'm familiar with the American electoral system. That's almost impossible. Each state runs its own version of the presidential election in its own way according to its own rules. To expect that every single state would sign on to this system is ridiculous. But that's the story. It then moves on to the fact that a computer glitch is what got Dobbs elected. You know what? I really wanted him as the legitimately elected President - a poke in the eye to the system from the voters. But he's not. The company that developed the computer voting system wants to cover the glitch up of course. So what if the glitch screwed democracy - it will hurt us in the pocketbook if people find out. But Eleanor (Laura Linney) - who works for the company - doesn't agree, wants to go public, and so the company sets out first to discredit her and then to eliminate her. So what started out as an enjoyable and light-hearted political satire becomes a political thriller about an electoral conspiracy. That could make for a good movie on its own, but to tie it in with the first part of the movie, where Dobbs gets elected in a huge upset was - I'll say it again - awkward. Both stories had a lot of potential. Because of the hybrid nature of the movie, neither story reached its full potential.
To give credit where credit is due, though, Robin Williams was, I thought, superb in the role. He seemed credible, sincere and completely believable. I'm not always a big fan of Robin Williams; this movie was one of the best performances I've seen from him. Linney was good; Walken was probably underused.
The movie's not bad. I just think it tried to do too much, and it would have been more fun and more interesting and maybe more thought-provoking if the whole political thriller angle had been dumped and we could have seen Dobbs actually and legitimately behind the desk in the Oval Office. (5/10)
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Like Politics, most of America will appreciate this.
The movie is more of a mockumentary of corruption in the whole American system. The correlations of those who vote who do not matter is so proved in the machines that end of voting a comedian to the oval office. Politicians are such a joke that we almost need a comic to represent us as we have been laughed at for years around the world. Bushism's have become a way of life for Americans and will be the only thing left after he leaves office none to soon. Oddly the only person of honesty is someone not even elected to the position and tells the truth in the end. The story is very subtle and if you go to it for laughs, it ain't happening. Leaves a lot for thought. Overall I enjoyed it.
31 out of 54 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Funny in parts, but flawed
(contains spoilers) Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a television talk show host gone political candidate; a Jon Stewart type that takes the plunge into contributing rather than heckling. This part of the movie works. Dobbs is credible, serious, and uses humor not for substance but to mock the ridiculous nature of the current lobby-ridden two party system. The political solutions offered by Dobbs are the standard third party 'common sense, but not too deep' solutions. Tom Dobbs wins and becomes the President Elect.
But the movie is flawed with the 'other half'. Laura Linney portrays a computer programmer who discovers an error in the new, nationwide electronic voting system - one that caused Dobbs to win. She reports the error to her CEO ...who torpedoes her email, and then sets her up as a drug abusing burnout who may have caused the problem herself. Linney flies to Washington to inform Dobbs that the election was a sham - but them doesn't tell him.
That's right, a sharp left turn away from suspension of disbelief and straight on to 'beg pardon? why?' It's clear that Linney's character understands that she MUST tell the truth, but for reasons we can only speculate, the writer chose to waste thirty minutes of screen time as she develops an emotional bond with Dobbs before telling him.
The movie would have been much better had Linney's character revealed the problem right away, and then collectively the 'good people' spent their time solving the problem. Instead, the 'good people' spend their time doubting each other (while we are left to doubt the script writer).
It's still enjoyable in parts, but maybe wait until DVD so you can skip the second act.
29 out of 50 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Better than people will say
When taken as a whole for its ideas and dissection of the current 2-party system and political process, I think this is a great film. Granted the movie was not the comedy I expected, but once I got over that this film really made me think. So much of what we see and hear in regards to any election is such a joke. There is in particular a debate scene in this movie that I felt was a masterful critique of our political debates and how policies are "discussed" at them. I encourage anyone who thinks our process is fine to go see this film. If you want something to laugh at however, Robin Williams and Christopher Walken are not their usual selves. In this movie they show us that the truth hurts, not that the truth is funny.
82 out of 118 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Not what I expected
This movie was advertised as a comedy but was far more serious than the trailers made it out to be. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie, but was expecting more laughs. Great performances from Robin Williams and Laura Linney. Worth seeing, but don't go expecting to be rolling on the floor. The movie left me wondering what it would be like if Robin Williams character was a real person that was running for president. Would we elect a comedian? I doubt it, unfortunately. That kind of stark honesty is something greatly lacking today. This is a movie that I will be adding to my DVD library as soon as it comes out on DVD. The movie has heart.
50 out of 74 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
This is not the movie that was advertised
Saw this movie at a Saturday matinée with a friend. Theater was about 70% full.
Although there are quite a few funny lines, it is more of a drama/suspense with humor sprinkled on top. Robin Williams gives a decent performance as does Laura Linney. Being a Daily Show fan, Lewis Black is pretty good in this. Christopher Walken gives a good performance also.
The movie starts out slow and remains that way for about the first thirty minutes, then the suspense part kicks in and starts keeping you a little on edge throughout the rest of the movie. Suspense in a supposed comedy movie? I know that I, as well as everybody else in the place, was struggling a bit with this. A character would crack a joke during suspense sequence and you would hear just one or two laughs in the theater.
In all fairness, after the movie was over there was smattering of applause. So, definitely, some people enjoyed this movie.
I gave this movie a four out of ten, because I believe the comedy aspect doesn't work very well in a suspense/drama movie and the actors performances, while not bad, were just decent.
Again, this movie isn't what was advertised.
83 out of 162 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Fiction must be credible, Twain
Greetings again from the darkness. Barry Levinson was at one time one of the most creative forces in Hollywood. He was a sizzling hot director with gems such as "Diner", "The Natural", "Good Morning Vietnam", "Rain Man", "Avalon" and "Bugsy". The problem is that his work has been mediocre, if not less, since the terrific "Wag the Dog" in 1997. Yes, almost 10 years. Regrettably, Mr. Levinson's ho-hum streak continues with "Man of the Year" which is much more a stand-up act by a comedian than any type of commentary or observation piece on our political system or either major party.
We never doubted Robin Williams' ability to fire off one-liners and jab at people and society. What we doubted, and rightfully so, was his ability to make a point ... any point. The film lacks soul, heart or any real message. It is the perfect politician ... exactly what it pretends to despise.
The supporting cast is lead by Christopher Walken, who has somehow become a walking self-parody of Christopher Walken. We get the feeling he is constantly working on his Walken impersonation. Don't get me wrong, it is a very close impersonation ... but just a bit over the top. Lewis Black, on the other hand, seems to "get" what the film should have been about. He has the most passion and best lines in the film. By the way, who cast a real actress? Laura Linney seems so out of place in this "Bulworth" type skit. Not sure what to make of her role, but because of her effort and sterling history, this should have no impact on her career. I mentioned Christopher Walken, so throw in Jeff Goldblum in a limited role and we get two of the strangest dudes Hollywood has to offer.
A couple of things that are a bit in the Mad Magazine vein ... Williams' presidential adversaries are named Kellogg's and Mills (haha) and the evil CEO of the corrupt voting system company is played by Steven Jobs lookalike, Rick Roberts (another haha). That is the type of cutting edge humor we get for 2 hours. Would much rather watch the real Jon Stewart. One other thing that made me nuts. Linney's entire role revolves around the "glitch" in the voting software. Nice idea, but the execution and presentation are laughable or ridiculous in their simplicity on lack of logic.
Sadly for two talented guys who are both in desperate need of a legitimate film, Levinson and Williams leave us yawning and scratching our head. I felt like Walken and Black's character in the first third of the film as they BEGGED Williams to cut loose and be himself and make a difference. Any of that would have helped!
6 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Robin Speaks from the Grave as our Nation plummets in National Leadership and Ethics
See this again, and listen to the one-liners.....all hitting on the garbage we have allowed our government to become. Politicians should be like dirty diapers: changed frequently and for the same reason.
Watch him skewer the politicians who are on the take from oil companies, as is our present Ma governor, but they call it 'campaign funds'. Now see if we can get any support for the solar panels our roofs.
So and so on. This was about the time the electronic voting machines were being queered by complicit voting companies who would come in and 'fix' a machine on the fritz, by inserting a chip that would flip the votes. As a software engineer who analyzed bugs, I would give lectures on how easy it is to queer an election. YOu see it here as well.
Please see this and listen to the lessons told as jokes. And bring back Stephen Colbert and get Jon Stewart to run. or at least to sponsor a candidate. And throw the money out of elections so we can get an honest candidate.
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
More serious than what I would have thought... but still really good!
Robin Williams is a genius. One of the best comedians in the world. He really shows off in this one, cracking jokes left and right as the talk show comedian Tom Dobbs. From the previous this looked like it would be a side-splitting laugh fest. And it was funny. But there were a lot of serious parts in the movie that I was not expecting. I would describe it as a drama/comedy. But it's still worth the money to see, and I still found it to be almost everything that I expected. Robin Williams is at his best, along with the famous Christopher Walken. They play a very good team in this movie and I was actually shocked to see how well the two were able to work together. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light-hearted movie.
31 out of 47 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Promising but overused premise destroyed by cliches
Has great potential and a great cast, but underwhelming and essentially ridiculous. Loads of gaping plot holes and requires much more than a suspension of disbelief. Some good one-liners though. Barely worth watching.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Good political satire.
There are some movies that almost look like prophecies. In this film, a highly popular comedian leverages his fame and notoriety to create an independent, largely Internet-based support platform, through which he launches an election run to the White House.
The film debuted in 2006, isn't one of the best known in Robbin William's filmography but remains very pertinent and current if we take into account the latest developments in US politics, and the election of the current president, Donald Trump. Like the protagonist, Mr. Trump had no prior political experience and used all of his fame and notoriety to reach the presidency. Both are outsiders, who apply to please those who are tired of conventional politicians. Curious, is not it?
Williams is good in the lead role, which is basically the typical comic character that he knew how to do very well. So, without surprises, he stands out and does a very good job. Behind him, we can see a competent cast of supporting actors. Laura Linney is, perhaps, the actress whose character is more within a dramatic profile. Its around her that a conspiracy revolves around, preventing an electoral error from becoming public and ruining all future prospects of a large technology company. Christopher Walken, for his part, plays a clever political aide with an eye for the show.
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Man of the Year- A Joke to the Chief! **1/2
While watching this film, I was saying to myself that it would become better when it would become more serious. That is exactly what happened.
The problem with the film is that we were stuck with Robin Williams' corny jokes. He plays a comedian who seeks the presidency and by some fluke wins. As far as the fluke goes, does this sound familiar?
Yes, he runs on a platform of integrity and ignoring the needs of special interest groups. As with too many candidates of today, he is quite vague on complex issues.
The film vastly improves when it is discovered that a computer error has pushed him into the presidency. When Laura Linney, as Eleanor Green, an employer with the computer company brings this out, she is discredited in the usual discredited sort of way.
Of course, Williams admits on a comedy news show that he shouldn't be president-elect after all. He now becomes even more famous on the comedy circuit because he has shown true integrity. Did the writers of this film ably do so?
The usually sinister Christopher Walken sheds that image and portrays an adviser to Williams or Dobbs as the candidate's name is in this film.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Tom Dobbs for President
Man of the year is an odd film to describe, let alone review. Is it meant to be a comedy? A thriller? Or even a romance.
Sadly the filmmakers themselves seem to be at a loss as to what the film is and so ultimately it ends up being a weird mish-mash of all three. But oddly it sort of works and I enjoyed the film a lot more than some of Robin Williams' other so called 'hits'.
Robin Williams had a knack for making clunky material and sometimes clunky films work,and he really does well here. It's a role that allows him to show his ability as a stand up comic but also as a serious actor. The romantic scenes with Laura Linney also shouldn't work but somehow they seem real.
Yes, there are dud scenes and too many bits and pieces being thrown at the film to try to make it work, but strip all that away and you end up with a nice performance from all involved - including the much missed Robin Williams.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A Nutshell Review: Man of the Year
Imagine the likes of popular talk show hosts becoming the most powerful man on Earth. What do you think of the Lettermans and the Renos taking over the Oval Office? Will their humour and mass appeal pull in the votes, and give them enough to win? Or will they be in the mix solely for entertainment value, unable to put on the table serious issues that the fate of the country depends on?
There was a line used in the movie, which I thought was so true. The "perception of legitimacy is more important than legitimacy itself". Like giving hope when you know things are rigged (which in my opinion, every lottery is), that statement forms the crux in the story, and brings to mind whistle blowing events in recent history, and the effort taken to silence critics and detractors. Nothing reeks more than dirty politics, where it seems like the only way to play the game, and having no place for an honest man.
Written and directed by Barry Levinson, the story is layered somewhat with some exploration into dirty corporations and ethics, or the lack thereof, and looks at the current political system in the US (though the thoughts shared could be modified for almost every democratic election campaign), that candidates chalk up huge campaign funds, and where does the money come from? The supporters of course, those who can contribute, and the unsaid word being some expected favours should be returned when the horse they back crosses the finishing line in first place.
I'm a fan of Robin Williams, so Man of the Year was a no-brainer must watch for me. However, Williams did seem to be quite restrained in the introduction, where as political talk show host Tom Dobbs, he entertains the masses through his television show, produced by a very capable team behind him, led by manager Jack Menken (Christopher Walken, in a role that fit him to a T). He jumps into the campaign trial by announcing his candidacy during one of his shows, and unlike his screen persona, he led the charge with a stoic nature, bringing up (boring) bread and butter issues as his agenda, repeating his mantra that he doesn't serve special interest groups like the others, but serves the common folk.
But of course, don't expect Williams to be gagged for too long. As the strategy isn't working, he had to adopt his persona to engage audiences, and that's when the fun starts, with his poking fun at himself, the political system, and the process. There were genuinely funny bits, spread throughout the movie, though most seemed to have been centered within his awakened election strategy, and sadly too, only in a montage of sorts. And yes, do expect some parts to be censored as he crosses lines deemed to sensitive by the censors here.
Accompanied by a great soundtrack (you have to pay attention!), it was the attempt to actually layer the story that seemed to dragged much of the pace. Without going into details, it had to do with the concerns for electronic voting, as well as a romance bit with Laura Linney's Eleanor Green, the system developer, that wasn't convincing enough, and sagged, as it can't decide if it wanted to be a romance, or a conspiracy action thriller, well you get the drift. Jeff Goldblum plays a supporting role here as a corrupt legal adviser, again in a stereotypical role that condemns company lawyers as conniving, sneaky and dishonourable.
All in all, it's still an enjoyable movie not without its flaws, but for a rainy evening, something good enough to sit through while you wait out the rain.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Go See This Movie
Robin Williams as President elect, Tom Dobbs, could not have played the part any better. As a fan of the upcoming genre of Comedy News, character Tom Dobbs does an excellent job telling the political view point as we see it as common Americans. The movie as a whole was truly a roller-coaster of events. The beginning builds up to a climax, then its all down hill as events destabilize the plot for short periods of time, tosses your emotions around through barrel rolls of comedy and drama, and manages to re-assemble the story for a nice clean cut ending. I recommend Man of the Year to all Williams fans, and Comedy/Sit-Com. fans, alike.
24 out of 46 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Individual of the year
Robin Williams ... if one ever forgets how great of a comedian he was ... there is so much video evidence of him being just exceptional - one of those cases is right here. He would have made a great late night host for sure - even if he might not have believed so himself. Then again, would we have believed to elect a clown to office? When I saw we I obviously mean the American people in this case, though it can be any other country too.
I'm obviously talking about Trump. No one back then could have imagined something like this happening. Though the character depicted in this movie actually is honest, so don't try to compare them. He has dignity, he has courage, he has a soul! While the voting is going on, you have something happening here that Trump (and his minions, no offense to minions everywhere) claimed happened in the 2020 election ... it is almost eerie. And of course something previous reviewers had no chance of predicting - or seeing as a possibility of being something that could actually happen.
All that aside - the acting is superb here. The pacing may have some issues from time to time, but all the actors involved here (and what a fine bunch we have!) make more than up for it! Yes it also is predictable, but why would you derive yourself of having fun? Just go with the flow ...
5 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
"Yes we can"? No. "No we can't."
Warning: Spoilers
Man of the Year is the cinematic equivalent of slapping an ice cream cone out of the hands of an exuberantly expectant child.
(and no, I'm not just talking about my personal bias that there's a special circle of movie hell for any character who makes a previously happy Robin Williams sad. You try watching his puppy-dog face fall, taking on the weight of the world, and not wishing every form of hardship upon the character who incited it. Hmmpff.)
The thing is, it's likely unsurprising to most prospective viewers that the film disappoints. Far too many asinine 'political comedies' flirting with satirical potential only to instead opt for toilet humour exist to not be wary. But no – Man of the Year commits a far worse cinematic crime than simply being a weak idea poorly executed: it offers a genuinely inspired premise for comedy and thoughtful political satire alike, and proceeds to deliver on it in a compelling manner. Then, halfway through, it throws it all away.
Okay, so even at its (initial) best, the film is no masterpiece; its dogmatic political ideals are delivered in impassioned but cumbersome mini-monologues like an overzealous first year political science major yearning for participation marks. But the core ideas at play are sound and worthwhile. And, when exploring the cult of personality in contemporary politics and valid inclusion of humour, charisma, and stage presence in engaging the general populace in core political issues and enlivening the political sphere to incite voter turnout, who better to lend it wings than the legendary Robin Williams? Who better to polish somewhat clunky thematic exposition than Christopher Walken, Lewis Black, and Jeff Goldblum?
Sure enough, for its first half, detailing the unorthodox journey of Tom Dobbs (Williams), comedian and political satirist, through whimsical campaign to becoming President Elect, the film…works. It's not perfect, but it is both funny and thought-provoking enough to become a worthwhile part of the cultural landscape, particularly in the context of America gearing up for another presidential election. Appropriately, the superstar cast all invest 110% in the material. Williams is note-perfect as the sharp but sincere comedian-turned-politician, and it goes without saying that the film's strongest moments are him being given the freedom to let loose with his patented exquisitely nimble standup, particularly during a hysterical send-up of the pomposity of political debates. However, Walken is almost as funny (high praise indeed) snarking away as his cantankerous manager throughout, while the criminally underused Goldblum literally talks the film to a standstill in a triumphantly greaseball monologue as the requisite "blood-sucking lawyer." By the midpoint, upon watching Williams triumphantly storm congress in a Thomas Jefferson outfit, it is genuinely fascinating speculating where the film will take him. Count me in.
Ah – but by this point, we're no longer watching the same movie. Perhaps you missed that sneaky projectionist swapping reels before the changeover. Behold: we're now watching a grim conspiracy thriller starring Laura Linney, and her Sisyphean tribulations as she, on the run, endeavours to reveal a corporate cover-up of a computer glitch leading to inadvertent election fraud. There is lots of panting, crying, hand-wringing, and terse abduction attempts. Even the music takes on the urgent pulse of a Serious Thriller.
And Robin. Gets. Sad.
Don't get me wrong: this subplot is, in many ways, just as valid a movie as the initial spry Robin Williams satire we started out with. Linney plays tense and harried like the best of them, and, once again, the premise is inherently topical enough to already stand out as an above-average political drama worth watching. Sure, the surprisingly graphic scene of Linney being assaulted in her home and forcibly drugged to discredit her and her accusations at work is a bit much, but hey – the audience needs to know that the Stakes Are High in this Serious Political Thriller. I'd watch that movie.
But not here.
For this is not the movie I sat down to watch. Moreover, it is not even the movie the creative team involved in Man of the Year set out to make. And watching it steadily take over the very promising movie it began as, like a cancer, and thereby muddying the crucial impact of either core idea, is too infuriating to bear. As Dobbs frets through antics (the CIA bemusedly supervising the President Elect playing paintball is too much disbelief to suspend even for a satire) and bureaucracy alike, naively investing an unfeasible amount of trust in the veracity of Linney's claims that his presidency is invalid, the movie burns through any remaining reservoirs of verisimilitude or patience alike, let alone pretenses at humour. By the end, I was too occupied playing 'spot the stretcher' (seriously – there are no fewer than three sequences of beloved celebrities taken away on stretchers by the film's climax, in case there were any doubt of how needlessly morbid the film has become) to stop myself from repeatedly bashing my head into the nearest hard surface in frustration to pay much heed to the film's lazy, saccharine attempts to wind up its smörgåsbord of needless complications and subplots. I'm sure not even Walken could cook up a snide analogy strong enough to properly express my disdain here.
Many will point to writer/director Barry Levinson's sly political satire Wag the Dog as credentials for this project. I, instead, will point to Levinson's last project before Man of the Year – Envy, one of the most loathsome excuses for comedy I have ever had the displeasure of watching – as more indicative of his mindset here. Man of the Year is too replete with frustratingly intelligent or funny bits (and worth it for Williams and Walken alone) to be a total write-off. But if there were ever a film benefiting from the potential to pause and fast- forward, this is it.
-5/10
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483726/reviews
0 Response to "The Man of the Year Funny"
Postar um comentário