The premise of the movie Man of the Year is that one of the funniest political comedians in the United States, Tom Dobbs, decides to run for president of the United States after the idea being suggested by an audience member. Then Tom Dobbs makes tons of jokes and laughs his way into the White House with his staff and Manager going along for the ride.

At least that’s what the trailers advertise. The trailers show the film to be funny comedy with nothing else. In all actuality the film is more like a drama/thriller with some romance and light bits of comedy throughout the movie.

I was surprised at first about what type of movie this film turned out to be, but then when I looked at the trailer again I realized why I should not have been surprised. Why? This film is written and directed by Barry Levinson, who also directed such movies as Rain Man, Wag the Dog, and Good Morning, Vietnam. All of these movies were not that funny and were in fact pretty damn serious.

If you thought taking your kids to a funny movie was what you were going to get you were only a little right. Much of the humor is adult oriented and there are long stretches between good jokes. Instead of this “HILARIOUS COMEDY” you get a political movie with comedy sprinkled on it to attract an audience.

The movie is a decent movie that sends a great message home with the audience. The reason it is a drama is that throughout the movie the character is on a roller coaster between a decision to give up his presidency or stay with it. The thriller part comes in because there are people trying to kill other people; many in the audience jumped and shook or screamed because of a scary shadowy figure.

The acting was just average with Robin Williams doing his usual serious but comedic personality as Tom Dobbs, Christopher Walken doing his usual very lightly funny but over serious acting as Tom Dobbs' manager Jack Menken, and Laura Linney giving a great performance as Eleanor Green, a crazed woman from a company trying to do the right thing.

I give this movie 3 stars out of 5.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College