Product Description

Robin Williams plays a politician with Robin Williams' sense of humor and finds his populist message taking hold across the nation.System Requirements:Run Time: 115 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 025193232625 Manufacturer No: 61032326

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33483 in DVD
• Brand: Universal Studios
• Released on: 2007-02-20
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 115 minutes

Amazon.com
A comedy with serious intentions, Man of the Year attempts to challenge the audience's notions of what is and isn't real when it comes to politics. Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a popular political talk show host. As a lark, he runs for president and wins. The thing is, he's not any more unqualified than the other candidates, so his victory doesn't seem quite so outrageous. But when it turns out that the computer ballot firm responsible for tallying all the votes may have had a glitch--and that a recount would negate his win--mayhem ensues and the film segues from comedy, to drama, and back to comedy (sort of) again. Directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, Wag the Dog), the film doesn't take advantage of Williams' natural humor or charm. He at times appears to be chomping at the bit to unleash a comedic tirade or two, only to be held back by stiff lines. Williams only truly appears to be enjoying himself when trading lines with Laura Linney, who portrays the hapless do-gooder at the ballot firm who's being set up to appear unreliable. With some fine performances by a supporting cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Lewis Black, and the inimitable Christopher Walken, Man of the Year occasionally hints at greatness. But at best, it's a lukewarm comedy with a diluted message. --Jae-Ha Kim

Customer Reviews

"Perception Of Legitimacy Is More Important Than Legitimacy Itself ~ It's All About Distraction"
The '06 release of the DVD `Man of the Year' is a tale of two movies not so cleverly disguised as one. It begins like a house on fire leading the viewer to expect this to be the comedy of the year, a tour-de-force by the incomparable Robin Williams as talk show host and comedian Tom Dobbs, soon to become the president-elect of the Unite States. With the presence of Christopher Walken in the role of his personal manager Jack Menken the movie appears on track for a laugh a minute feature.

However all the clever and funny political ranting and raving that distinguishes the first half of the film are sadly and unexpectedly put aside for a not so intriguing conspiracy drama that pushes what Robin Williams does best into the background where he is forced to passively watch the second half of the film wind down into mediocrity. Robin does fire up the comedic monologue again just before the end and thankfully is able to partially save what would have otherwise been a major disaster.

Too bad director Barry Levinson couldn't make up his mind about what kind of film he wanted to make. 'Man of the Year' had the right lead man and cast in place for what could have been a cultural classic to rival Sidney Lumet's 'Network' from '76. What happened Barry?

A Hidden Treasure
Robin Williams has created a movie that tells us so much about ourselves and who Americans think they are. It hasn't done as well as it should have because it's not as funny as people expect it to be. What it is, is a try at making a movie that tells about the dangers of corporate greed and the way that people look at elections.

Some of the satire is so subtle in places that you need to watch it two or three times. Listen very carefully to the answers of the other candidates at the debate, and to their comments at other times during the movie.

Robin Williams character is a cross between John Stewart and Ralph Nader, but Lewis Black almost steals the movie as his writer. It would be interesting to know how much of the movie was ad libs between the two.

In the end though the movie cops out by letting there be a re-election between the same two bozos, and one of them goes on to do the same old same old, so it's disappointing in that way.

Bipartisan Movie
A funny movie that reflects people's general feeling of disgust with today's political system. No matter what political party you belong to, if any, you will love this movie. Robin Williams stars as a comedian/talk-show host who campaigns as an independent candidate for President because he's tired of both Democrats and Republicans and wants to give America an alternative choice. He becomes Ross Perot on speed. I sat through this movie thinking "I might vote for this guy" and, when the movie ended in the theater, people actually stood up and applauded indicating how it was hitting home. I can't wait to see the Director's Cut to find out what was left out! It's a must see and a must own!!!