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Robin Williams, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Lewis Black, Jeff Goldblum ... see more see more... , Rick Roberts , David Alpay , Karen Hines , Linda Kash , Sasha Roiz , Doug Murray (II)

Good Morning, Vietnam duo Barry Levinson and Robin Williams re-team to tell the tale of a quick-witted radio talk-show host whose fanciful bid for the presidency becomes a surprising reality in the on... read more read more...e political comedy that truly speaks for the people. When talk show host Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) makes an offhand comment that he would be a better president than the leader who currently occupies the White House, a grassroots campaign conducted by his legions of fans finds him unexpectedly ushered into the Oval Office and forced to live up to his promise. Unfortunately for Dobbs, the revelation that his surprise victory was actually the result of a voting computer glitch and not majority vote leaves the outspoken funnyman struggling with the decision to stay the course in the Oval Office or head back behind the microphone where he is truly in his element. Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Lewis Black co-star the satirical comedy scripted and directed by Levinson. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

51% liked it

196,219 ratings

Critics

21% liked it

142 critics

PG, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Barry Levinson

Release Date: October 13, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 20, 2007

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Stats: 10,412 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (10,412)

  • aliceinpunderland
    January 1, 2012
    aliceinpunderland
    Friend and fellow Flixster reviewer, Scott Wilson, asserts that Man of the Year "couldn't decide what kind of movie it was going to be," and I agree, in so much as it does shift tones a lot. It goes from irreverent comedy to political satire to whimsical romance to schizoparanoi... read mored thriller, but I find the shifts suspenseful and entertaining.

    The usually crass and bombastic Robin Williams is so genteel and streamlined as the television news comedian turned presidential candidate. He's even a bit of a stud when Eleanor Green enters the picture. He and Laura Linney seem to have good chemistry, perhaps by virtue of Linney's not-necessarily-loving but definitely-tension-filled gaze. Her drug-induced breakdown is quite alarming, going from 0 to 60 and back with her different intonations of "I've got it. I've got it! I'VE GOT IT! ... I've got it."
  • MidnightMadwoman
    October 8, 2011
    MidnightMadwoman
    I think this film is based on Al Franken's run for senator, or a hypotehtical scenario where Jon Stewart decides that he's had enough of pointing out bungling and decides to do a little himself. But imagine that character is played by Robin Williams and he actually wins. It's har... read mored to tell if this film was trying to be a comedy driven by Williams' persona and performance or whether it was supposed to be a drama about corporate election rigging and fraud. It was kind of both and a lot of neither, at times. It's pretty good, but I think it might have been better if it had come down on one side or the other. And if it had been a drama, it should have been devoid of Williams.
  • SirPant
    March 14, 2011
    SirPant
    It was going so well before the unnecessary plot deviation into election cover ups and faulty election computers, the problem is that this film doesn't know what it wants to be. The idea of a Chat show host/Comedian/Celebrity winning the election was good enough a story to explor... read moree alone, the acting was good and the dialogue was really good and then all of a sudden, In walks Laura Linney (a very hit or miss actor at the best of times) and the whole film goes rapidly down hill, swerving between unconvincing romance, less than thrilling thriller territory and mis-placed comedy. A real wasted opportunity. Annoying as what I meant to rent was actually Worlds greatest Dad! (thought it was Dad of the year, an easy mistake to make eh!) Oops! Watch it for Christopher Walken's performance and if you're a Robin Williams fan (he is quite funny here) but certainly don't rush to go see it.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 3, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    I believe they made to make this something of a cross between a thriller and a comedy, but it's just lacking, and abysmally strange.
  • fb733768972
    January 25, 2010
    fb733768972
    Some parts are none stop hilarity! After a while it get's very boring, and scary! Does not work too well! But I still like it!
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 1, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    very good because it raises interesting questions. more serious of a movie than the previews made it look, but it was very funny and robin williams was incredible.
  • ythelastman89
    November 20, 2009
    ythelastman89
    It was a disturbing blend of comedy and a thriller about government conspiracy cover-ups. Robin Williams and Laura Linney were decent, but it wasn't either's best efforts. The story was the true downfall of this movie, completely changing out of left field. It would've been best ... read moreif they had just stuck with one genre.
  • matertenebraum
    December 21, 2008
    matertenebraum
    #11 Man Of The Year
    On a lark, this late-night talk show host decides to run for office. Amazingly, he gets elected. Williams, in all his looniness, comes across as a likable guy. It?s always a pleasure to see stuffed-shirt posturing lose out to common sense in a debate.
    Presiden... read moret Speak: "Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason."
  • Redlats
    March 27, 2008
    Redlats
    An OK movie. It is too bad American politics is not like this - where a straight talking guy can actually win the presidential race.
  • bhobbs1985
    January 31, 2008
    bhobbs1985
    The show was not bad. Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, and Lewis Black are the only things that keep it that way though. There great acting comedy roles, saves the movie from being a total bore.
    Otherwise, what presented it self as a comedy turned more into a drama about mess... read moreed up election counts.
    Good for polititians, but, not so good for anyone who does not like almost pure Dialogue. (Its seriously the only thing that is funny in this movie).
    I might be wrong, but im willing to bet the people behind the creation of this movie was all from the democratic party.

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Critic Reviews

Michael Wilmington
October 21, 2006
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Levinson has written and directed in many genres. But rarely has he made a film as indecisive and diffident as Man of the Year. Full Review

Richard Roeper
October 17, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

A surprisingly complex and dark satire that skewers the media as well as the political process. Full Review

James Berardinelli
October 13, 2006
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Man of the Year makes telling points and has a lot to say, but it loses its voice along with its consistency around the mid-way point, and that will likely make it an also-ran in the box office race. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
October 13, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

It's a comedy, a political thriller, a love story: Barry Levinson's Man of the Year tries to be all things to all people and fails on every count -- a little like the generic, ineffectual politicians ... Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
October 13, 2006
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

A few observations about the hollowness of party politics, plus Robin Williams doing lots of funny shtick as a Jon Stewart-like comic running for president, have been thrown together with low regard f... Full Review

Mick LaSalle
October 13, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A genre-less, imaginative riff by an intelligent filmmaker on the state of the country. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 13, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

It's a nearly tone-deaf satire of American politics and the culture of celebrity, a comedy without enough laughs, a satire without enough bite. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
October 13, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Only in filmmaking does one very good idea plus another very good idea sometimes add up to one less-than-great picture. Full Review

Kyle Smith
October 13, 2006
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Man of the Year is longer than the FDR administration, less funny than Calvin Coolidge and deader than Abe Lincoln.

Jack Mathews
October 13, 2006
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

A few moments do not make a new Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Frank Capra can continue to rest in peace. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Man of the Year Trivia

  • In "Man of the Year" what happened to Laura Linney?  Answer »
  • Who am I? I have starred in Night at the Museum Flubber Man of the Year RV  Answer »
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  • In which movie ended with the line: "Polticians are a lot like diapers, they need to be changed often and for the same reason."  Answer »
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