In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

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.

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.

I saw one of the posters for this film, where the leading star is dressed like George Washington, so the concept was going to be obvious, and one that I was willing to try, from director Barry Levinson (Good Morning, Vietnam; Rain Man). Basically Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is the host of a satirical comedy politics talk show, and someone jokes in the show that with his quick wit he could run for President of the United States in the up and coming election. He thinks to himself that he could actually do it, and he becomes the independent candidate, and he almost deliberately shows himself up as a questionable candidate, and he makes for good viewing. So it comes to the day of the election, there are small but doubtful to happen hopes that Tom does actually win the election, against Democratic Incumbent President Kellogg (David Nichols) and Republican U.S. Senator Mills (David Ferry), but to everyone's surprise, he does win. He and everyone around him, including his sick manager Jack Menken (Christopher Walken) and Eddie Langston (Lewis Black), are pleased with the result and happy to see him shake up politics as the new President elect. His luck may be about to change though, because Eleanor Green (Laura Linney), who was removed from her job at Delacroy, the private company with rising stocks that created the new computer system for votes to be cast, has discovered a glitch. The voting computer made the mistake of believing the votes for Dobbs counted on the fact that the other two candidates have double letters in their names too, i.e. Kellogg = two Ls and two Gs, Mills = two Ls. After going temporarily mad, being drugged by men sent by her slimy boss Stewart (Jeff Goldblum), she struggles to get this information out, but she does eventually reach Dobbs and explains the glitch. Even being told that she took drugs and stuff, Dobbs is pretty sure that Eleanor is telling the truth that he is not the true elected President, and the conspiracy is becoming more hyped with Eleanor trying to be killed to shut her up. In the end, Tom steps down as President, explaining the glitch to the world, but his actions work for the better, the right man is made President (not great, but good), Stewart is arrested for hiding the information, and Tom goes back to hosting his now higher rated show with Eleanor working beside him. Also starring David Alpay as Danny, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Williams makes for good viewing with his comedic stand up skills coming into play as he rises to the high rank, and Linney is effective as the pressured and at risk programmer. I myself liked the turn from comedy to conspiracy thriller when it happens, the idea of a comedian becoming President is very good, it blatantly picks on the fact that actor Ronald Reagan did it, it could have covered more ground, but it is a likable film. Okay!

I generally like the work of director Barry Levinson,and I have some of his movies among my favourite ones (Diner,Good Morning Vietnam and Wag the Dog).However,I started to loose a little bit of faith on him with his most recent films.Bandits had been very mediocre and Envy had been an unbearable piece of crap,not to mention I could not believe Levinson was involved on it.He needed to do something really good to redeem himself after such film excrement.And although Man of the Year resulted to be enormously superior to Envy (which means practically nothing),it resulted to be a mediocre film.The main fails from this movie are on the screenplay.It is not bad,but for some reason it did not leave me very satisfied.I think it should have been more incisive and sarcastic,and not so bland.Some humor moments fail because they were not well written.However,there are good elements on this movie which make it moderately entertaining.The best thing from the screenplay is the proper commentaries it makes on the world of politics.Besides,there are some good moments of humor and Robin Williams fits well on his character.For that positive elements,I can give a slight recommendation to Man of the Year,although the final experience is mediocre.I hope Levinson has lifted the aim on What Just Happened,his most recent movie.