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Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States, Robin Williams
Far fetched? Maybe, maybe not. Considering we live in a country where a former pink-feather-boa-wearing professional wrestler and an Austrian-born former bodybuilder-turned-actor can become Governors, the possibility of the citizens of this nation electing a comedian to the presidency seems entirely plausible. I mean one could argue that our current president is a joke anyway (oh, I’m so controversial). However far-fetched (or not), this is the premise for Universal Pictures’ upcoming, “Man of the Yearâ€.The film stars Robin Williams as acerbic (I had to look it up too) performer Tom Dobbs who has made his career out of skewering politicians and speaking the mind of the exasperated nation on his talk show. He’s like a Jon Stewart meets Bill Maher meets Chris Rock meets Dennis Miller (when he was still funny). Anyway, after cracking scathing jokes at a fractured system night after night, he decides to run for president himself.
He ignites a grassroots movement that puts him on the ballot; and after campaigning and debating, the muckraker wins only to learn that a computer voting error gave him the victory. With time ticking on the inaugural clock, Dobbs has a big decision to make: should he go back behind the mike or stay in the Oval Office?
So are you intrigued? Yea, I don’t know either. I mean part of me really wants this movie to be funny. You know a scathing but humorously relevant look at the state of politics today. But the practical half of my brain (actually it’s more like 1/37 of my brain) feels like the film is going to bomb, er, not deliver on promises, er, just not do well. Let’s pre-review using the “point/counterpoint†method:
Point: The film is directed by Barry Levinson; the man behind “Dinerâ€, “The Naturalâ€, “Good Morning, Vietnamâ€, “Rain Man†and “Wag the Dogâ€.
Counterpoint: The film is directed by Barry Levinson; the man behind “Toysâ€, “Jimmy Hollywoodâ€, “Sphere†and “Envyâ€.
Point: The film could follow in the footsteps of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washingtonâ€, “Dave†(shut up, I liked it) and “The American Presidentâ€.
Counterpoint: the film could follow in the footsteps of “Head of State†or “Bulworth†(I didn’t like it but damn it if “Ghetto Superstar†isn’t still catchy as hell)
Point: The film co-stars Christopher Walken
Counterpoint: No argument
Point: there’s potential for Robin Williams to be his A.D.D., caffeine overdosed, ad-libbing genius self like he was as radio DJ Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam.
Counterpoint: Robin Williams is making “Mrs. Doubtfire 2â€
Point: I feel as though most fans of the talk show hosts/comedians I mentioned above have at one time or another said to themselves that if they (the hosts) ran for office, you would vote for them. I know I have. I mean just imagine the cabinet you could put together. (WARNING, TANGENT ALERT)
President: Stephen Colbert- if you haven’t seen the video of his speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner, you need to find it immediately. But finish my article first
Vice President: Jon Stewart- you ever seen the back of twenty dollar bill…on weed?
Secretary of State: Bill Maher- can’t you just picture him chatting it up with foreign heads of state?
Secretary of Defense: Dennis Miller- probably the right-most leaning pick of the group he could dazzle potential enemies with his stream-of-consciousness "rants" featuring obscure references to pop culture and literature
Attorney General: Lewis Black- I’m giggling just thinking about that
Press Secretary: Chris Rock- man, would I ever tune into every press conference
Counterpoint: if my assertion about peoples' willingness to vote for a comedian is correct then there’s a huge potential for the film to beat that point to a pulp. A bloody, bloody, non-funny pulp.
So that’s it. With two more years left in the Bush presidency and the mid-term elections approaching quickly, “Man of the Year†could capitalize (and benefit) from the current political climate of the country. Not to mention that with a great number of Americans getting their ‘news’ from “The Daily Showâ€, “The Colbert Report†and “Real Time with Bill Maher†the film has a seemingly built in audience. Will it fall into the category of “Trailer Trashâ€? We’ll have to wait until the polls close (awful) on October 16th. After all, it’s not up to me. I’m not “the deciderâ€.
Word!
Josh “mediaboy†Gryvatz
Posted by on September 25, 2006 11:45 AM
Permalink |
All I hope for the film is that it has the elements that made Wag the Dog an enjoyable film
My initial disappointment is that Dustin Hoffman wasn't casted as the lead...after seeing the trailer I didn't think Robin Williams can play the part to it's greatest potential...but then again, I guess casting Hoffman in the lead (or in any part in the film for that matter) would curse the movie to being forever compared to Wag the Dog.
I just see Dustin Hoffman as "successful comedic news anchor" better than I see Robin Williams.
I hope I'm proven wrong when the film is released.
-- Posted by: Phil at September 25, 2006 10:26 PMphil -
while i can't say i see dustin hoffman in the role, i am hesitant to fully endorse robin williams. the guy hasn't made a genuinely funny film in quite some time.
i think perhaps if the studio went with a lesser know/younger comedian (someone with less baggage), the story would be more believable. maybe someone like jeffrey ross.
of course, if they did that, the movie probably wouldn't have been made.
thanks for posting comments
- mb
-- Posted by: mediaboy at September 26, 2006 12:25 PMmediaboy -
What are you talking about? RV was funny as hell. I think Robin Williams is a brilliant comedian and will give us an outstanding performance.
By the way, isn't there an age requirement of 45 to run for president? That right there gets rid of all the younger applicants.
-- Posted by: Jason at September 26, 2006 3:58 PMI agree, though not a particularly good movie, RV was hilarious.
I fully back my nomination of Dustin Hoffman as the lead in the film. I really don't want to see a flamboyant film out of this, and that's really my problem with the casting of Robin Williams.
-- Posted by: Phil at September 26, 2006 4:31 PMthere is no doubt in my mind that Robin Williams is a brilliant comic. i just don't think that he's been truly funny on film in a while (RV included).
and yes, there is an age req to be 'el presidente' and it's 35. Jeffrey Ross qualifies.
- mb
-- Posted by: mediaboy at September 26, 2006 4:36 PMI hope I can convince you to change up your 2008 Presidential Cabinet. Jon Stewart, who really could run this country, seems too obvious a choice for President, and too wasted on VP. So, I say Secretary of State.
Every night, every guest, every book, every hot seat question leads me to believe that the UN would bown down in deference, the lion would lie down with the lamb, and the religious fanatics would be exposed, deposed, and trivialized. Okay, so I'm an optimist.
Petition, anyone?
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I'll see it for the sole fact that Christopher Walken stars in it. Even if the movie is completely awful, Walken never disappoints.
-- Posted by: Jason at September 25, 2006 7:29 PM