Man of the Year
Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 13, 2006
5.2
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 70 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
26
Mixed:
21
Negative:
23
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
2
JoshuaC.Oct 14, 2006
Its so poorly executed. The mis-match clash of trying to suddenly be a politcal thriller and a comedy NEVER works. Besides a couple funny moments, when finally it goes poltical thriller it never recovers. Not recommendable.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
3
LarryMartinOct 15, 2006
A weak script and lack of focus by the directer doom this poor effort.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
2
BarbP.Oct 16, 2006
Completely misses the audience. The humor is aimed at the dumbest common denominator, and the waffling back and forth between the slapstick-Robin Williams run-on joke and Laura Linney's take on The Net makes your brain hurt.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
5
FilipeNetoJul 26, 2018
There are some movies that almost look like prophecies. In this film, a highly popular comedian leverages his fame and notoriety to create an independent, largely Internet-based support platform, through which he launches an election run toThere are some movies that almost look like prophecies. In this film, a highly popular comedian leverages his fame and notoriety to create an independent, largely Internet-based support platform, through which he launches an election run to the White House.

The film debuted in 2006, isn't one of the best known in Robbin William's filmography but remains very pertinent and current if we take into account the latest developments in US politics, and the election of the current president, Donald Trump. Like the protagonist, Mr. Trump had no prior political experience and used all of his fame and notoriety to reach the presidency. Both are outsiders, who apply to please those who are tired of conventional politicians. Curious, is not it?

Williams is good in the lead role, which is basically the typical comic character that he knew how to do very well. So, without surprises, he stands out and does a very good job. Behind him, we can see a competent cast of supporting actors. Laura Linney is, perhaps, the actress whose character is more within a dramatic profile. Its around her that a conspiracy revolves around, preventing an electoral error from becoming public and ruining all future prospects of a large technology company. Christopher Walken, for his part, plays a clever political aide with an eye for the show.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ClaytonT.Oct 20, 2006
The critical lashing of this movie is typical of critics, you know the guys that are so focused on technical elements of film that they forgot how to have fun at the movies. This movie is flawed. It has identity issues; however it also has The critical lashing of this movie is typical of critics, you know the guys that are so focused on technical elements of film that they forgot how to have fun at the movies. This movie is flawed. It has identity issues; however it also has amazingly funny moments and great performances. As someone who has never found Robin Williams to be particularly funny, I really enjoyed him in this role. Laura Linney is one of the most talented women to ever grace the screen. I say go for it and have fun with it. its not a bad movie, and it achieves the simple task of entertainment, And remember, critics gave jackass number two a better rating on here.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
7
SamMar 19, 2007
Not one of Williams's best pictures despite an outstanding performance, but with the help of a great supporting cast and some nice suspense sequences, this was a very satisfying movie.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
8
LynneS.Oct 14, 2006
The movie was enjoyable if you are a Robin Williams fan. He appeared to have liberty with the dialogue and he was quick and fun to watch. It was not an educational film about how elections are run, but gave pause to think of just how our The movie was enjoyable if you are a Robin Williams fan. He appeared to have liberty with the dialogue and he was quick and fun to watch. It was not an educational film about how elections are run, but gave pause to think of just how our votes are counted...as in Florida. It brings up how the almighty dollar controls all business at the expense of morality and ethics.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
HansE.Oct 14, 2006
Robin Williams plays himself in a movie best left for DVD (or cable). Laura Liney does a wonderful job, but seems like she should be in a different film. Unremarkable in almost every way.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
8
JulieS.Mar 7, 2007
Robin Williams was absolutely perfect in this role. It was refreshing to have a whiff of honesty in politics!
0 of 1 users found this helpful
7
DanielK.Oct 14, 2006
It
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
MajedM.Mar 3, 2007
Excellent Movie. Hopefully this will make people realize how ignorant there government is getting. Very Funny too.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
StuartS.Oct 21, 2006
This film left a lot to be desired. But, if you really enjoy Robin Williams, as I do, you might want to go see it anyway.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
3
MarkB.Nov 2, 2006
A late-night TV political comedian (Robin Williams) decides to actually run for the Presidency, apparently assuming that the public would find his pathetically toothless, Jay Leno-like barbs preferable to the platitudes and do-nothingism of A late-night TV political comedian (Robin Williams) decides to actually run for the Presidency, apparently assuming that the public would find his pathetically toothless, Jay Leno-like barbs preferable to the platitudes and do-nothingism of his two major-party opponents. If that's really the case, we're all in big trouble: Barry Levinson's remarkably spineless, would-be satire (which lacks even the minimum requirements to characterize it as such) not only scrupulously avoids drawing blood, it doesn't even try to nibble on any of its apparent targets. The Republican challenger and Democratic incumbent (an old-school type who managed to gain the White House anyway, making this film a bigger fantasy than any of the Lord of the Rings series, together or seperate) aren't caricatured at all; Williams' monologues pathologically shy away from such hot-button subject matter as Iraq, abortion, the role of religion in politics or anything that really matters to either side of the spectrum. Levinson's spinelessness has been repeatedly measured in other reviews and posts against the cogency of his supremely well-observed and still relevant 1993 faux-documentary Wag the Dog; I'd prefer to recall the script he cowrote for 1979's ...And Justice For All, a two-hour primal shriek of agony and outrage against the inequities and ineptitudes of the American legal system that was too raw and passionate to care much about being tagged as heavy-handed; flaws and all, it was a work of courage that Levinson appears to have lost long ago. God bless Laura Linney, who as a suspicious pollster who discovers something ominous in the vote-counting process, seems to be under the illusion that she's acting in a real movie; whenever she's on screen, particularly in two scenes when her character is in jeopardy, she almost convinces us too. The most trenchant (if not especially original) observation that Man of the Year makes is that many potential voters get more of their news from comedians like Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert than they do from more traditional sources. Here's an idea: why not make a movie about a Colbert-type--a liberal pretending to be a conservative--conducting a psuedo-campaign who becomes forced to decide whether to continue playing his familiar role or really say what he believes when his run for high office really catches fire? That's gotta work better than almost anything in Man of the Year...provided that Levinson and Williams stay far, far away from it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
DanielD.Oct 13, 2006
A great film...not really. Very dissapointing no matter how hard you try and enjoy it. Has robin Willams lost his Ms. Doubtfire charm or has he just been in more and more terrible films. First RV, now this. What has he come to? They say all A great film...not really. Very dissapointing no matter how hard you try and enjoy it. Has robin Willams lost his Ms. Doubtfire charm or has he just been in more and more terrible films. First RV, now this. What has he come to? They say all good actors show up in bad movies, but we have to draw the line somewhere.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
BrianG.Nov 4, 2006
I really enjoyed this movie, particularly for its political humor. The storywriting was good up to a certain point, but towards the end, it slacked off. Overall a good movie, and definetly worth watching.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JohnY.Oct 16, 2006
A solid Robin Williams performance, part comedy, part drama. I find it difficult to listen to reviewers who don't rate the movie they are watching but, instead, rate it compared to how the reviewer thinks it would be if it were A solid Robin Williams performance, part comedy, part drama. I find it difficult to listen to reviewers who don't rate the movie they are watching but, instead, rate it compared to how the reviewer thinks it would be if it were differently constructed or played by different actors. Laura Linney again produces magic on the screen with her character study.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
BillROct 21, 2006
The problem with people who vote positively on movies like this, is that they are so used to choking down garbage that they forget what anything really good is. This movie was VERY flawed. This movie was executed very poorly.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
KateJOct 21, 2006
I hate upvoters who have no taste or intelligence. They couldn't possibly think when watching a movie, they just choke down one bad movie full of crap after another, trying to wonder why all these "evil critics" always hate there I hate upvoters who have no taste or intelligence. They couldn't possibly think when watching a movie, they just choke down one bad movie full of crap after another, trying to wonder why all these "evil critics" always hate there "averagely rated films" Simple answer: You… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
DavidC.Oct 21, 2006
Severe lack of focus meets poor execution.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
WillOOct 23, 2006
"Man of the Year" is a film without an identity, it doesn't quite know what it wants to be, and doesn't really achieve anything. For those of you who are expecting high comedy, if you've seen any Robin Williams standup in the "Man of the Year" is a film without an identity, it doesn't quite know what it wants to be, and doesn't really achieve anything. For those of you who are expecting high comedy, if you've seen any Robin Williams standup in the past few years, those same jokes litter this film. Perhaps the most telling sign that this movie fails as a comedy is the fact that the characters on screen spend more time laughing than the audience, sort of a makeshift laugh track. Perhaps ironically, there's a laugh track joke in the film. "Man of the Year" is a prime example of a good concept poorly executed.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
GeorgeOct 30, 2006
RW is hilarious as always. There are some great laughs, but the movie loses itself in the "thriller" plot in the middle. Still worth it just for the debate scene!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
AdamB.Apr 8, 2007
"Man Of The Year" is the kind of movie that appeals to all kinds of tastes. For example, the first thirty minutes are mostly comedic(and very hilarious, I may add), and then the rest of the film takes a fairly dark and interesting tone. "Man Of The Year" is the kind of movie that appeals to all kinds of tastes. For example, the first thirty minutes are mostly comedic(and very hilarious, I may add), and then the rest of the film takes a fairly dark and interesting tone. While I was a bit dismayed at the idea of switching a comedy into a thriller, this movie seemed to pull it off fairly well while losing some potential. Is it one of the greatest films of all time? Not at all. Is it worth a watch? You bet.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
MarkH.Oct 14, 2006
This film is a soggy, sorry mess. Which is a shame because I went with the highest of expectations given the track record of the director Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog) and Robin Williams who collaborated on the brilliant war comedy "Good This film is a soggy, sorry mess. Which is a shame because I went with the highest of expectations given the track record of the director Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog) and Robin Williams who collaborated on the brilliant war comedy "Good Morning, Vietnam. "This time around, the director gets trapped by one to many storylines in search of a decent plot. Williams is excellent when left to improvise but the rest of the project is a 3rd rate corporate thriller that makes little sense....Rent "Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939). Its a much better movie about the same concept of a populist politician against the establishment....and while you're at it, you should check out "Meet John Doe" with Gary Cooper...an even blacker, more cynical look at American politics and values by Capra....… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
MattM.Oct 15, 2006
This film was pretty much as un-funny as a comedy can be. We left the theatre during the scene where the woman and Tom Hobbs are talking after paintball. I couldn't help but role my eyes at how cheezy and boring it was. Christopher This film was pretty much as un-funny as a comedy can be. We left the theatre during the scene where the woman and Tom Hobbs are talking after paintball. I couldn't help but role my eyes at how cheezy and boring it was. Christopher Walken does his usual weird thing, but instead of being brilliantly weird, its just plain creepy. Jeff Goldblumes acting is laughable also. Not a funny film at all.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
EthellB.Oct 15, 2006
I called it! I friggin' called it! There was too much buzz about this movie..."oh yeah....so funny...a comedian as president...that's great." AHHHH! it sucked. robin williams is disgusting!! anywho, i called the suckage of this I called it! I friggin' called it! There was too much buzz about this movie..."oh yeah....so funny...a comedian as president...that's great." AHHHH! it sucked. robin williams is disgusting!! anywho, i called the suckage of this film. I knew it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
ChuckW.Oct 15, 2006
Levinson is a weenie and Williams wasted his talent on years of doing blow. Sad.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
StuCopDec 29, 2006
A horrible mess...fails as a satire and fails as a thriller. You know it's bad when the script calls for the supporting cast to constantly tell eachother how funny the main character is being...seriously several times Frank Black turns A horrible mess...fails as a satire and fails as a thriller. You know it's bad when the script calls for the supporting cast to constantly tell eachother how funny the main character is being...seriously several times Frank Black turns to Christopher Walken during one of Williams impromptu monologues and says "Boy he's really being funny now"....though it's painfully apparent that nothing Williams says in this movie is either funny or sadly even scathing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
HughROct 25, 2006
They had quite a few stupid parts, but overall I really enjoyed the movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
lightning101May 14, 2011
If they wanted to make a movie about a late night host, Conan O'Brien was the Choice.
Any movies based on John Stewart and Steven Colbert are sure to fail. And this was one of them. A dull, boring, never a single laugh, just a sad andIf they wanted to make a movie about a late night host, Conan O'Brien was the Choice.
Any movies based on John Stewart and Steven Colbert are sure to fail. And this was one of them. A dull, boring, never a single laugh, just a sad and miserable movie. It's just boring.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
AlienSpaceBatsJun 13, 2013
Should be two films, the second part; political thriller with Laura Linney's character escaping the machinations of her previous employers deserves to be more in depth, and is far more interesting than the middle-of-the-road antics of aShould be two films, the second part; political thriller with Laura Linney's character escaping the machinations of her previous employers deserves to be more in depth, and is far more interesting than the middle-of-the-road antics of a comedian running for office.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
StevenFJul 22, 2013
Man of the Year suffers from explaining itself far too much, it delves into ridiculous plot twists that really bring the film in a different direction, its funny, exciting but takes itself way too seriously. Robin Williams delivers hisMan of the Year suffers from explaining itself far too much, it delves into ridiculous plot twists that really bring the film in a different direction, its funny, exciting but takes itself way too seriously. Robin Williams delivers his stand-up routine for most of the film, that is certainly not a complaint, his energetic and witty one liners and long speeches are the knockout points of the film, but even he seems a little bored when the plot thickens to a murky mess.
Williams play renowned comedian Tom Dobbs,the films answer to Jon Stewart, a man who is told the simple yet thoughtful remark by an audience member, that he should run for President. When this little act of truth soon reaches a chain reaction, Tom Dobbs is in fact running as a presidential candidate, and is receiving overwhelming support for his honesty, lack of campaign money and general state of not pulling the wool over peoples eyes, with the help of his team, including Jack (Christopher Walken) and Eddie (Lewis Black). The chemistry shared with these three onscreen is brilliant and improvised gold.
But the wool is being pulled elsewhere, and this is the reason the film falls so heavily from its perch, as we see a witty and lift-hearted comedy turn into a conspiracy involving politics and voting.
Eleanor Green (Laura Linney) works for a company works for the company that runs the new system for voting, so when she discovers a fault with the system, a one to one with her boss turns into a fear for her life, as they want to cover up the mistake while she wants to expose it.
This is a classic case of a film going too far with its imagination, it tries to be too many things and ends up not being any of them, instead becoming a muddled fiasco of jokes that don't fit the conspiracy story, and even a blossoming love story that falls flat. But with all its failures there is still an enjoyable element to the film, the comedy is top notch and hits the mark, particularly because is reflects true life events, it has the gall stand to stand and address the necessary points through the energetic Robin Williams. But the rest of the cast all do a fine job in their roles, even id Jeff Goldblum's character is a little too maniacal for the film, but then again, the film does try and go that way.
An overblown mess of a film, with the best parts coming at the beginning and not continuing on, a genre should be picked and settled on, with no additions, sub-stories or what have you added to a film like this, it just becomes plain silly.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 23, 2021
This movie features many one liners from Robin Williams and I'd suggest that if you like his stand up material then your likely to find this quite funny. The comedy is quite ascerbic but the story is pretty serious in tone and indeed theThis movie features many one liners from Robin Williams and I'd suggest that if you like his stand up material then your likely to find this quite funny. The comedy is quite ascerbic but the story is pretty serious in tone and indeed the concept is quite interesting, infact I'd say its quite topical, highlighting the power of social media and how disillusioned people in the Western world tend to be, in terms of trusting politicians - here in the UK it made me think of the petition for Jeremy Clarkson to become prime minister - someone who is controversial but presumably people feel may understand and relate to, if not at least somehow better represents the average citizen moreso than other politicians(?) (which is a bit of a scary thought given some of the controversial views he's been in trouble for saying).

There are some some surprise plot twists present and I found the story quite intriguing - I couldn't tell what the ultimate outcome would be. Pace wise, this movie moves at a good rate, as it were. It is mainly about politics but its not as dry as it may sound - there are many scenes featuring him and those around him working on his campaign, bouncing off different ideas, with him giving some witty quips and there being discussion over how to market him as an independent political candidate. There are also multiple scenes of him appearing very passionately during debates and at rallies, which is quite compelling viewing, which could be seen as slightly car crash type viewing but I found it to be interesting and entertaining.

The other main cast member is Christopher Walken, who plays Dobbs' father, who fully supports him but equally has his own issues. The interaction between the two is quite good, although the relationship could be viewed as a bit too Hollywood perhaps, in one or two aspects which may be seen as spoilers if I were to go into details about. I felt that both of the main characters gave quite passionate performances, which certainly boosts the movies credibility.

I suppose it would be true to say its quite a Hollywood movie theme wise I suppose. I'm perhaps not sure if I find the movie in its entirety very realistic - would such scenarios be likely to happen? its a bit cheesy perhaps but I think the themes are quite pertinent, making you question how much of a joke politicians and politics or the state thereof can be seen as by others, as well as other things. There's also another more sinister subplot involving a potential whistleblower who makes an alarming discovery and is warned to drop her investigations, in relation to the election, which poses questions and again whistle blowers seem very much like a hot topic at the moment, especially in relation to the US.

Overall I found this movie quite witty, with plenty of humour and some fairly interesting plot twists, although in a way it could be seen as somewhat cheesy or predictable but generally speaking I found it quite entertaining and it made me think, it was both serious and amusing, so I enjoyed it. Its fairly light in some scenes and in others there are definitely some sinister undertones and the mix I felt was quite good, its pretty well balanced overall.

Yes. I found this to be an amusing, entertaining movie that wasn't too long and arduous - its pace is just about right, perhaps a little too fast at the start if anything but its certainly quite watchable and features some decent performances. Its quite relevant at the moment, in terms of the messages it contains and I thought it was a good watch in general, so I'm happy to recommend it. For the sake of balance, I'd say that some potential downsides would be that obviously it is based on politics which may be somewhat off putting to some, although I don't think its overly dry and also that there's a subplot which could be seen as a little cheesy. Perhaps it isn't the most original movie overall but I found it interesting and I'd say its worth a watch regardless. Its one of Robin Williams' better movies of recent years, or so I thought anyway and for that alone (plus the presence of Christopher Walken) I'd say this is worth watching.… Expand
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