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Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker, Nick Searcy, Lynn Whitfield ... see more see more... , Robin Givens , Tamala Jones , James Rebhorn , Keith David , Tracy Morgan , Stephanie March , Robert Stanton , Jude Ciccolella , Nate Dogg , Reg E. Cathey , Ned Eisenberg , Mike Hodge , Mario Joyner , Marcel Marceau , Novella Nelson , Clarke Peters , Douglas Roberts , Ed Wheeler , Brian James , Donna Hamilton , John Badila , David de Boy , R. Bruce Elliott , Gustave Johnson , Donald Neal , Mark Zeisler , Jimmy Tingle , Lois Kelso Hunt , Ivan Scott , Pat Moran , Jeff Jarrett , Ali Leroi , Chandra Wilson , Wes Johnson , Funkmaster Flex , Patsy Grady Abrams , Sloane Brown , Delaney Williams , Heather Alicia Simms , Gwendolyn Mulamba , Billöah Greene , Beau James , Tony Head , Ron Killings , Brad Marshall , Annika Pergament , Mojo Gentry , Kevin Reese , Lucy Newman Williams , Leanne Saunders , Irving Jacobs , Jim Scopeletis , Kirk Penberthy , Charles Able , Michael Ahl , Scott Armstrong , Sade Baderinwa , James R. Bergdahl , Thomas Bevans , Jeremy Borash , Alan Chadsey , Victoria Chapman , Terry Chasteen , Raymond Clark , Lee E. Cox , Madeline DeVan , John F. Degen , Nancy Ding , Helaine Fonda , Marilyn Getas , Jennifer Gilbert , Gabrielle Goyette , Kate Guyton , John Hall , Robin L. Hall , Tony Harris , Ann Haynsworth , Elizabeth Johnson , Linda Kenyon , Ashton Marks , Angie Mattson , Steven Maurice , Brenna McDonough , Doris E. McMillon , Michael Munford , Robert J. Norman , Tad Ohta , Akira Otsuka , James G. Pasierb , Bob Perilla , Peter Puglisi , Caitlin Ray , H. Reneé , Cory Rosemeier , David Savoy , Sharon Savoy , Norman Seltzer , Jamil Shaw , Gammy L. Singer , Deborah S. Smith , Stan Stovall , Brad Strange , Barbara Suto , Camille J. Thomas , Cornell D. Thomas , Kevin Witt , Patrice O'Neal , Ron Harris

Can a high-attitude African-American politician who says what he thinks stand a chance in a presidential campaign? Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a straight-talking alderman representing a inner-city ne... read more read more...ighborhood in Washington, D.C. In the midst of a hard-fought race for the White House, the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates are killed in an airline crash, and with little time to prepare a new campaign, the Republican candidate, Vice President Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), seems all but guaranteed to win. With practically nothing to loose, party head Martin Geller (Dylan Baker) approaches Gilliam and asks him to stand as the Democrat's presidential candidate. While Gilliam is dubious at first, before long his streetwise style and willingness to face the issues head-on earns him surprising figures in the polls, especially after he persuades his short-fused older brother, Mitch Gilliam (Bernie Mac), to join the ticket as vice presidential candidate -- a big jump for a bail bondsman. Gilliam's love life also becomes more complicated as his ex-girlfriend Kim (Robin Givens) decides she wants him back now that he has a shot at the White House, even though Gilliam only has eyes for Lisa (Tamala Jones). Head of State marked the directorial debut for comic and actor Chris Rock, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

50% liked it

54,946 ratings

Critics

31% liked it

117 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Chris Rock

Release Date: March 28, 2003

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DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003

Stats: 1,549 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,549)

  • Chiefilms
    February 24, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Foreshadowing. Most Chris Rock-lead movies are terrible, this one is his best.
  • barrys
    January 8, 2009
    barrys
    Five years ago this movie might sound ridiculous and unreal maybe unreal. But now if you watch it it could be a glimpse to the future with a very funny and ironic view. The movie have some really funny moments. It is directed by Chris Rock and from the beginning we can see his ty... read morepical kind of humor with a lot of social criticism and political satire. The cast is good. Chris Rock is great and Bernie Mac hilarious, together they make an excellent couple of comedians. Robin Givens, James Redhorn and Lynn Whitfield complete the cast and add a very good support to the movie.
  • MidnightMadwoman
    September 19, 2006
    MidnightMadwoman
    I'm so glad the studios ended up trusting Chris Rock to direct a movie. Man, he should run for President. Although he crosses the surrealism line a little too often for my tastes, this movie was a hilarious indictment of phoniness in American politicians. I have a little souvenir... read more "Crib Malt Liquor" bottle in my room.
  • Godless
    March 23, 2006
    Godless
    I know what your thinking, Chris Rock in a bad movie?
  • xxdebxx
    March 7, 2011
    xxdebxx
    This is a very funny satire of our political system and of black culture with the general premise being a black man is chosen to run for president by a white establishment that assumes he'll lose. Chris Rock plays Mays Gilliam, an alderman who finds himself running for President ... read moreof The United States after the original presidential candidate dies in a plane crash two months before the election. Obviously, he is being set up to lose, but (of course) begins winning over the people and ultimately taking control of his fixed campaign with his street smart unorthodox methods. Bernie Mac plays Alderman's bail bondsman brother turned vice president running mate providing laughter with his rough and rumble ways. Robin Givens plays Gilliam's stalker ex-girlfriend.
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    June 28, 2010
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    Hey, what can I say, from beggining to end, I enjoyed this movie.
  • adfill7
    June 27, 2007
    adfill7
    I saw it a long time ago. I didn't like it very much.
  • dinkyluvssftball
    April 25, 2009
    dinkyluvssftball
    I've only seen this once with my cousin and my aunt...
    but, It was non-stop kind of laughing...
    Great Comedy! : D
  • pinoykinsa
    November 18, 2008
    pinoykinsa
    Aah... Chris Rock. What can I say? Well, if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. So I won't.
  • Dvader42
    August 18, 2008
    Dvader42
    A fun but silly look at the world of politics today. Strangely has some things to say about the current election.

View All Head of State Reviews

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers
April 10, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A missed opportunity.

J. Hoberman
April 1, 2003
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

It's pretty much a toothless dog. Full Review

Richard Roeper
March 31, 2003
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

... I liked this premise in movies like Dave, or the Eddie Murphy movie The Distinguished Gentleman, where the unknown or the underdog becomes the candidate or even the president, but this is so poorl... Full Review

James Berardinelli
March 29, 2003
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

As a TV sitcom pilot, Head of State might have potential, but, on a multiplex screen, the execution (if not the premise) is thin. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
March 28, 2003
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Not the sharpest political humor I've ever heard, but it gets my vote for the stupidest fun I've had in a long time. Full Review

Rita Kempley
March 28, 2003
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Though the comedy falls short of a debacle -- which is what such egocentric projects tend to be -- it isn't as sharp, fast or funny as Rock's stand-up routines.

Peter Howell
March 28, 2003
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

It's fast and funny and easily the smartest thing Rock has done in a long while. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
March 28, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A pleasing and occasionally very funny movie that maintains a mild but consistent hold on its audience. Full Review

John Anderson
March 28, 2003
John Anderson, Newsday

[Rock] and Bernie Mac ... provide a furious combination of stylistically different but equally effective jabs at the status quo. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
March 28, 2003
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

It hits easy targets with broad swipes, and its simple message is the same as Disney kiddie fare: Be yourself. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Head of State Trivia

  • Who stars as Mitch Gilliam in the 2004 film "Head of State"?  Answer »
  • Who played as Chris Rock's brother in the movie Head of State?  Answer »
  • In Enemy of the State who has an uncredited role as a head gangster?  Answer »
  • What movie featuring chris rock has the tagline "The only thing white is the house"????  Answer »
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