Review: Man Of The Year (B-)

Man Of The Year (2006)
Directed By Barry Levinson
Starring Robin Williams, Laura Linney, Christopher Walken, Lewis Black and Jeff Goldblum
MPAA: PG
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

Director Barry Levinson always seems to get the best out of his actors so it should come as no surprise that the inconsistent Robin Williams delivers a surprisingly good performance in Man Of The Year. Part comedy, part thriller, Man of The Year is certainly entertaining and frankly, a little better than I expected.

In Man of the Year, Robin Williams plays Tom Dobbs, a comedian with a "fake news" show similar to Jon Stewarts Daily Show or Bill Maher's political roundtable programs. At the urging of some audience members he decides to toss him name into the presidential ring. A subplot revolves around Laura Linney, a computer software engineer for Delacroy, a tech firm that contracted to handle computer based voting for the U.S. Jeff Goldblum is wonderfully cast in the role of the film's evil antagonist, an exec at the computer voting firm.

The ads for Man Of The Year are a bit off-key. The spots promote the film as a wacky "what if" with a wild man comedian (certainly a role that Williams could play to the hilt). However, Man Of The Year has a slightly darker tone to it, and honestly, it would not be that unusual to see a comedian such Jon Stewart or Bill Maher actually run for the White House. In fact, comedian and political commentator Al Franken is currently running for office in Minnesota. So the "wouldn't that be amazing" factor is really not very strong.

Man Of The Year features a confident, restrained performance from Robin Williams. Laura Linney (is it me or is she in everything these days?) also is excellent and Jeff Goldblum is a favorite of ours. The usually magnificent Christopher Walken in oddly miscast as Dobb's agent, but Lewis Black does a fine job as Dobbs political consultant. Man of the Year is not Levinson's best (I prefer Diner) but it is a fine movie that is funny, family friendly and consistent from start to finish. PS - For a little fun (and games) check out the Man Of The Year Quiz.