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MAN OF THE YEAR Send This Review to a Friend
Although some good, satirical points are scored occasionally in “Man of the Year” and Robin Williams has his funny moments delivering gags, the film falters when it turns serious and tries to become a thriller with a smattering of romance. On those terms it is simply too far-fetched and messy.
Too bad. Writer-director Barry Levinson is attempting to say something about the present political shambles in America by having a comedian turn populist candidate and, it seems, get elected. Williams does well by the premise, as he can be both funny and sincere, as well somewhat of a wild man. He is amusing talking about politicians in hock to lobbyists etc.
But the film is complicated by the introduction of new voting machines, an employee of the company (nicely acted by Laura Linney) warning of a glitch and corporate villains trying to silence her. Of course, she gets to know the prez-elect, to whom she has ready access, and ultimately presents him with a moral and ethical problem as the action gets hairy. Credibility is strained on so many levels that one is left with a few funny gag lines and little else. A Universal Pictures release.
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