Film Review: Man of the Year

Man of the Year seems like the fulfillment of every liberal college student's dream: a Jon Stewart equivalent wins the presidency of the United States. Since the dawn of comedic news media (the prevailing mode of poking fun at administrative incompetence), the informed youth have championed the motto of down with the stuffy old, in with the witty new. But what if the witty new isn't up for the promotion?

Hence the dilemma surrounding Man of the Year's Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams), a man who spouts dirty jokes as often as he does political ideology. No sooner than an audience member suggests Dobbs run for president are we sucked into the comedian's whirlwind climb to the top.

After a rousing speech against the backdrop of Beyonce-like stage lights spelling out "Tom" and a presidential debate featuring Dobbs ranting about the hypocrisies of current legislation, we think that just maybe this humble comedian has what it takes to shake things up in the Oval Office. We even become a little hopeful when the comedian-that-could is announced as president-elect and chugs into the White House with powder wig and lofty words.

But the fantasy comes crashing down when Eleanor Green (Laura Linney), an employee for the electronic Delecroy Voting System, reveals that a glitch in the system resulted in Dobbs' win. This attempt to shift the genre from comedy to thriller stifles the sharp and punchy comedy that would have shaped the film as an effective satire. Instead, we're led on a melodramatic flight to uncover the truth involving frantic attempts on Green's life by the head honchos of the Delecroy Corporation.

What is most disturbing is Director Barry Levinson's (Wag the Dog; Good Morning, Vietnam) ultimate conclusion: those who most inspire us in this unstable political climate aren't fit for positions of actual responsibility. And according to Man of the Year, it's best if they're left to vocalize a nation's discontent on cable programs and SNL skit shows.