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Robin Williams as President? Hmm, yeah, I think that would be a step in the right direction. Man of the Year takes a refreshing look at elections and candidates and pretty much says what we are all thinking. Add to that the rapid fire standup of Robin Williams and what you have is an enjoyable, laugh out loud comedy. How refreshing would it be to hear a politician be honest? I know it is far fetched and hard to believe. But a nice thought none the less.

Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a late night political talk show host who on a whim decides to run for president. He doesn't expect to win or even to make the ballot. But his fans come out in droves to support him and get him into office. His manager (Christopher Walken) and TV producer (Lewis Black) are excited about the whole event hoping that he can shake up the political staunchness and boost ratings for his show at the same time. When they finally get Dobbs to stop playing the political game and just be himself is when we see Williams shine and the movie hits on all cylinders. 

Robin Williams' is the king of rapid fire wit and improve and when you turn him loose on politicians and the entire political system it is a thing of
beauty. The film is written by Barry Levinson but you can't help but wonder how often Williams' was just turned loose on his own. The best scene in the movie is the first TV debate between Dobbs, the current President and another candidate. Dobbs goes into an honest rant that not only is funny but says everything that we have all thought and wanted to vent ourselves. Though just a comedy I am sure that it will cause real politicians to sweat through their lobbyist purchased suits.

There is more to this film than just Williams' poking fun at the political scene. There is also the side story involving the corporation responsible
for creating the new election ballot programs. Eleanor (Laura Linney), a programmer for the company finds a flaw in the system and the corporate
lawyer (Jeff Goldblum) will do anything to keep her quiet. When Eleanor seeks Dobbs for help it is a cat and mouse game to stay ahead of her
pursuers'. Though adding dramatic elements it is not overpowering and does not take away from the flow of the film.

The film does a nice job of blending in real people from shows like SNL and Fox News into the fictional story making it play like true events. This adds to the believability and gets you behind Dobb's character. You want him to win and start thinking what a breath of fresh air he would be. There were many times in the theater when cheers would erupt over a comment Dobb's made and I found myself excited about politics for the first time in, oh, forever! If nothing else it allows you to vent for a couple of hours even if through a fictional character.

Man of the Year is rated PG-13 for language including some crude sexual references, drug related material, and brief violence. William's can be
crude at times and even in the context of humor some of the more easily offended audience members may cringe a little. All in all It is just good
fun. I give it 4 out of 5 votes. If nothing else, for what it says about politicians in general.
 

The Mungle (10/12/06)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com