Man of the Year

Robin Williams

2006

Universal

This movie could have been done much better, and it didn't showcase all of Robin Williams' talents (but then, lately, most movies don't seem to be pulling everything out of him that he can give!) - seriously, as an actor (and a comedian) the man has charisma to beat out 200 Obamas, and yet this movie drowns in the Laura Linney aspects of the plot, and never truly develops what it was meant to develop - that of the comedian who runs for president as a joke and turns out to be a viable candidate.

Actually, not to draw further comparisons (well . . . that's a lie, because that's exactly what I'm doing) a similar device was used in Bulworth, the Warren Beatty film about a senator running for President who has nothing left to lose, so he starts telling the bald bold truth - This movie could have accomplished something similar as far as true political satire that had an actual point.

But the movie never makes it. Mr. Williams is utterly wasted in it, and it's sadder than movies that never have a chance to be any better, because this is one that, with several further re-writes, could have been fantastic.

VG