There is an air of unreality to the political arena in America where liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans alike, are playing on the same team of special interests and corporations. Most campaigns are fully financed by wheeler dealers who know that money speaks loudest and carries the biggest stick. The political process is such a joke that celebrities now hold governorships, and many citizens rely on comedy shows such as Jon Stewart's Daily Show for "fake news" that lampoons what is going on in Washington, D.C. Man of the Year capitalizes on these bizarre trends and makes the most of them in a clever and entertaining comedy written and directed by Barry Levinson. His previous work in the satire genre, 1977's Wag the Dog, was a real winner.
Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) has his own television show during which he regularly ridicules politicians and their foibles and missteps. One day, the suggestion that he should run for President is greeted by wild applause from his audience. Thanks to his immense popularity as a media figure, a grassroots movement quickly builds to put him on the ballot as an independent. Dobbs agrees to run, but he refuses to buy media ads, breaking a hallowed tradition.
Backed by his acerbic producer Jack Menken (Christopher Walken) and his head writer Eddie Langston (Lewis Black), he takes his late-starting and long-shot presidential campaign on the road. Both of his handlers are upset that Dobbs is too serious in his speeches, and they counsel him to lighten up with more of his trademark humor. But the fledgling everyman hammers away at his message that average Americans don't feel that politicians are listening to them or addressing their needs. On the campaign trail, Dobbs impresses people with his down-home honesty.
In the showpiece scene of the drama, Dobbs is given a chance to participate in the nationally televised debate with the incumbent Democratic president and his Republican challenger. After listening to them thank everyone they know for supporting them, Dobbs switches into high gear and turns his wicked sense of humor on the two traditional candidates and their predictable prattle about things that don't matter. The audience goes wild as Dobbs goes on a rant that hits the mark more often than not.
Writer and director Barry Levinson has made a very funny movie about the sad state of affairs in contemporary politics. Dobbs comes across as a straight shooter who cares about the country and the strength of democracy. In addition to the challenges of his campaign, he has to deal with the revelations of another person who comes into his life at a crucial moment.
Eleanor (Laura Linney) works for Delacroy Voting Systems and discovers a glitch in their computer programming that, if revealed, could cause a meltdown of this soaring business' value. She tells the head of the corporation who immediately tells her not to worry. Anxious that Eleanor could spread the word, Alan Stewart (Jeff Goldblum), the firm's chief legal counsel, comes up with a nasty scheme designed to make her look like a psychotic drug addict.
Can two people who believe in telling the truth make a difference in the world? Go see Man of the Year for one take on the possibilities.
Special DVD features include a "Commander and Chief" featurette and Robin Williams: A "Stand Up" Guy.
