Filipe Neto 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.

foghorn_clj You'd think that Robin Williams playing a TV comedian who becomes president would be pure gold. And you'd think that a rigged election as a result of faulty computer voting would just make it more interesting.Unfortunately this movie is neither of those things. Primarily because it couldn't make up it's mind whether it was a comedy or a thriller. And even worse that it doesn't combine those two things but switches rather abruptly between the two. Basically all the characters are half baked, which really is a disservice yo the talent of both Williams and Linney. Even Jeff Goldblum in his very short time on the screen is horribly unimpressive. In fact the best thing about this movie is the cameos by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey right at the end.If you're a fan of Robin Williams as I am skip this one. Go and watch "Patch Adams" or "Good morning Vietnam" and go to your happy place.

goaltenderinterference This movie was believable neither as a political satire, nor a political thriller. Some of Robin Williams' dialogue, which he possibly wrote himself, is funny; but like an overly-long SNL sketch, it had nowhere to go after the first few minutes because of the flimsy plot(s) and boring characters.The first premise of this movie is that Robin Williams is a comedian running for president. The only reason he gives for running is that an audience member suggested it, and that he doesn't like either of the main political parties; we are never given the impression that he cares about the outcome of the election. When the main character has basically nothing at stake, why do we as the audience care if he succeeds or fails? Worse still, the story breezes through every obstacle that makes it difficult in real life for an independent to run for president: the getting-on-the-ballot process is explained away in a one-sentence narration; his unrealistic inclusion in the candidates' debates is glossed over; and he attracts substantial support without any campaign spending because...? The movie then completely changes premises to become a "thriller". We find out that Robin Williams' election victory was due to a computer voting system glitch that misread the candidates' names. When whistleblowing voting system employee discovers the glitch, all of the stereotypical thriller devices come out to play: the evil multinational conglomerate cover-up (apparently computer companies have henchmen on retainer), the betrayal by the trusted confidant, the hideout discovery, the parking lot altercation, the car chase, etc., etc. Of course, the whole thing falls flat because I'm pretty sure that computer voting systems have more rigorous checks for coding errors than my grade 9 introduction-to-programming class.I guess the two parts of the movie are supposed to gel when the whistleblower is able to get to Robin Williams -- and only Robin Williams -- and tell him about the glitch. So he has to decide on whether to be the good guy and tell the world, or be the bad guy and be sworn in as president. That *might* have saved this movie if they had actually shown Williams struggling with this issue, but instead it is completely deflected: (1) because the evil multinational has apparently done such a good cover-up, his struggle becomes over whether to believe the whistleblower or not (and we get no explanation as to why he ends up believing her); (2) he doesn't really care about power, as he uses his president-elect status for jokes and publicity stunts. So it comes back to: why would we care if the main character doesn't?

eric262003 Over the past couple of years, Robin Williams has played a variety of roles that have been outside of his spectrum. He's played roles that were either dark, disturbing, but to me didn't sit very well for that matter. Let's face it, comedy is in his veins and though his intentions to break from type-casting is okay to some extent, but his heart is really in comedy and his more better roles are in the comedic spectrum. In "Man of the Year" Williams has the opportunity to exhibit his versatility as both a comedic actor and could also tackle some of the more serious issues in the movie quite compellingly. Sure Williams looks a little odd sporting a Bicentennial wig and dressed like he's about to star in the musical, "1776", but don't let this poster fool anyone. There is a lot of realism about the happenings in our political system which can be easily used as manipulative force for an exhilarating exhibition of comical writing.Robin Williams stars as Tom Dobbs who hosts a political talk show much in the tradition like Bill Maher. When an audience member suggests that he runs for President, Dobbs feels obligated in doing it even though his manager Jack Menken (Christopher Walken) and his writer Eddie Langston (Lewis Black) are a bit uncomfortable with his decision. Dobbs is at his wits end with the government overrunning civilians who have to pay off these sycophants just ease their way into Presidency and these high-empowered bigwigs who promise they'll help the lower classes get back on track, when really they're just using their wealth for themselves for their own purposes. Granted Dobbs can be a capable individual to run the White House as anybody would and the public media seem to have his support. As a member of the Independent Party competing with both the Republicans and the Democrats and emerges victorious with a flawless victory.Like all good things, there are few obstacles that are in the way of Dobbs' glory. A new computerized voting apparatus is programmed by programmer Alan Stewart (Jeff Goldblum) and his assistants Eleanor Green (Laura Linney) and Danny (David Alpay). Eleanor uncovers a bug in the computer system that claims that Dobbs never actually won the election and now she has the reluctant task of telling Dobbs the truth and how he and staff will react to it. The direction of the way the film progresses, you just want to support Dobbs all the way and let him keep his job as the President.The casting was very uplifting the juxtaposition between comedy and political satire handled by director/writer Barry Levinson deserves a standing ovation and I think if a person has enough time, they should see this movie for themselves. It's not only rich in comedy but has a serious back story of how the political system operates in the United States and Robin Williams demonstrates that he can still play funny man with a serious outlook coming against the corruption that bestows upon the political community. Also Laura Linney was dynamic in her role as she never ceases to amaze me.