Synopsis

Tom Dobbs, the host of a comedy talk show who, fed up with the political system, suddenly decides to run for president. So off he goes on a national bus tour, joined by his manager, Jack Menken, and his head writer, Eddie Langston, bringing his message of change to an eager public. Meanwhile, Eleanor Green, who works for Delacroy, the company that has developed the voting machines being used by the government, discovers a serious glitch in the program that alters the results of the election. She tries to tell the company's CEO and chief counsel/spokesman, but they want everything hushed up so their stock prices aren't affected and their upcoming international deal goes through. Delacroy's chief spokesman arranges to have her discredited as a habitual drug-user. Unable to hold back the truth, Green looks to Dobbs for help while being hunted down by Delacroy's hired thugs.

What The Critics Say

"Williams is hilarious in a full disclosure montage with the press where he admits to inhaling, looking at dirty pictures of nude women and having just farted." The cast also gel nicely, even with Dobbs' team shouldering more comedy while Linney's story is more thriller oriented. The romantic attachment between the two sides is a solid bridging device. "Man of the Year" isn't as biting as "Wag the Dog" was, nor as prescient, but it throws an issue into the ring as it entertains its audience." Laura Clifford REELING REVIEWS "Williams scene as Dobbs debating his presidential opponents alone is worth the price of admission to this film. It is laugh-out-loud hysterical." Bill Zwecker CHICAGO SUN-TIMES "At a time when politicians are most in question, [director] Levinson feels no qualms about depicting the process as a hilarious and yet dangerous farce." Mario Tarradell DALLAS MORNING NEWS "No one will mistake Man of the Year for movie of the year, but it says some things worth being said without the usual straight face." Terry Lawson DETROIT FREE PRESS "There are several flaws in the story content and the pacing, but this movie still gets my vote. Robin Williams is kept reined in for most of the movie, but when they turn him lose he goes on a few rants that are simply inspired." Cherryl and Leigh Ann THEMOVIECHICKS

"The Robin Williams you love. A very entertaining movie and a showcase for the brilliant Robin Williams. When he is funny, he is very funny, and for a lot of the movie, he’s an absolute delight to watch. When it’s time to get dramatic, he seems to be able to switch that on quite easily, too. His chemistry with Laura Linney is undeniable. Like the film’s coupled genres, they may be a weird coupling, but they work." Clint Morris MOVIEHOLE "...it’s a humorous thriller. It is funny, but it conveys its message adeptly, although some might claim that if you’ve seen Williams’ 2002 standup routine you’ve heard the jokes before. Fortunately (or, maybe not so fortunately for Robin), the vast majority haven’t seen his routine and the jokes will be fresh. On top of the comedy, it’s a thriller as well." Tony Medley TONYMEDLEY.COM "Robin Williams is finally back doing what he does best: intelligent stand-up comedy." Angela Baldassarre SYMPATICO "In Man of the Year, director Barry Levinson's satirical look at a late night TV talk show comic who runs for President of the United States, Robin Williams turns in his smartest, funniest performance in at least a decade. He's a riot." Pete Hammond MAXIM "What keeps "Man of the Year" alive is the homey interplay of its principals, Tom's talk-show staff coming off like a fun family of kooks. Walken's a grand old man as the entertainment manager who becomes an unlikely kingmaker, despite an odd subplot about his character's health problems from smoking. Linney's the real victor, creating a rich, noble, conflicted character." David Germain ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Inside Story Academy ® Award winner Barry Levinson says the idea for his latest film came from the 2004 US elections. "Following the election, there were many questions about the computer systems in Ohio and other states, whether or not they were 'hackable'. Plus, you had Ralph Nader as a third-party candidate inserted into the mix. The ideas coming out of this election seemed a good basis from which to construct a screenplay." Levinson questioned that if this was a problem in the early stages of computer-assisted voting, what could happen down the road in American politics? "We talk about our democracy and how important it is to us, yet on the other hand we have something that seems rather fragile and questionable," Levinson reflects. "We shouldn’t have to question whether our votes count or don’t." As the character Tom Dobbs says in the film, "Man Of The Year": "We shouldn’t put our faith in voting machines that have fewer safeguards than a Vegas slot machine." Robin Williams plays Dobbs, a comedian who hosts a very popular national television show. That says Levinson is reflected in the U.S.A by the number of people who use their television or film profile and become involved in the election process. Most often because they are becoming household names across the nation. Why? "It’s easier to sell a name brand than an unknown," he summarizes. When it came to making a political point, the best way "was to create a comical, human movie that doesn’t force you into any political box," he says. "We can laugh, but simultaneously think about the issues brought up." "Man Of The Year" is a very different film to his much acclaimed, dark, satirical "Wag The Dog". "Frankly, I liked the hope in this story," he notes. "Two people with a great deal of honor and character are coming forward to tell the truth, regardless of the consequences." A deal to go into production was struck over lunch when Levinson discussed his screenplay with James G Robinson, the head of the production company Morgan Creek. The two agreed that Robin Williams signing on to play the lead role would galvanize Levinson’s idea into a green-lit film. "The script is a reflection of our culture," Robinson notes. "Tom Dobbs is an honest everyman who has some very big decisions to make about the power that’s been granted to him." Which leads to an interesting question, how does Levinson balance the power being both writer and director of the film? "At a certain point, you try not to make a distinction between whether you are the writer or the director," he says. "As a director, however, it’s an advantage to be able to fiddle and make changes more quickly than if you are the writer only." "Man Of The Year" is about more than which party candidates are running for. "The point of the movie is that it’s not about liberals, conservatives, Democrats or Republicans," Levinson explains. "There is something wrong in a system when people begin to feel disconnected as if there isn’t some type of representation." As Tom Dobbs says, "We have bigger problems. We don’t seem to have leadership. We don’t have the guidance necessary. The average Joe doesn’t feel his government is responding to his needs." With a deal struck it was time to cast the film. It's a great cast. "Casting is dead on for the film. When it comes to choosing and directing actors, I’ve never seen anyone better than Barry," says Robinson. Tom Dobbs is played by Academy ® Award winner Robin Williams. Surprisingly Levinson says Williams wasn't an initial consideration for the lead role. "Originally, I had much more of a Nader-like character in mind. But I thought, 'That doesn’t give me enough to play with.' And then I considered a late-night talk-show host type, a Jon Stewart. I thought, 'That’s more fun to work with.' And then Robin came to mind." Williams liked the script and Barry’s main point "that politicians distract you with emotional issues while avoiding actual ones." The astute actor also picked up on the celebrity influence of politics in the U.S.A. "Al Franken runs for state senate in Minnesota. Dennis Miller, at one point, floated the idea of running for California senator. I think the guy from Dukes of Hazzard was actually a congressman. Are you voting for the celebrity or the person?," he asks. Williams says the message of the movie is simply: "Look around you. Engage your mind when you vote!" So when it comes to politics what is the best role for comedians? Focussing on the contridictions. "Politically minded comics like Jon Stewart or Bill Maher simply point out the contradictions in our government, and that makes you laugh." Playing opposite Williams is highly credentialled actress Laura Linney. She plays Eleanor Green, a computer programme analyist who discovers a problem with the programme running Delacroy's voting machines. "Laura has a smart and serious side. There’s something about her in which she can pull off humor without pushing it. I thought she could play a formidable character and not just a victim," the director notes, adding, "someone who has a certain integrity." Linney says she was intrigued by the project because "it’s a great character-driven piece." When it came to working with Williams she notes he, "acts with you as opposed to acting at you. It’s not a razzmatazz, manic comedian thing, he’s terribly connected to everyone around him." Oscar® winner and much lauded stage actor Christopher Walken is Tom Dobbs's manager Jack Menken, who by the way, narrates "Man Of The Year". As a long-time fan of Walkens, I relish every opportunity to see this consumate actor in action. "I thought of Christopher Walken as a producer/manager/mentor who would give an interesting dynamic to Robin as Tom. He brings a very fresh look to it all," says Levinson. Walken understands the power of comedy, "I’ve been in show business my whole life. Comedy is very good business, and I felt that Menken and I had a great deal in common, we believe in comedy," says Walken. Those who took the opportunity to see "Unaccompanied Minors" will already know that Lewis Black, who plays Dobbs's head writer, Eddie Langston, is indeed a very funny guy. Levinson wrote the part with him in mind. "I interviewed him for a previous project, but I didn’t have a role that was right for him then," director Levinson recalled. "I was thinking of him when I wrote this draft, and fortunately, the timing was great. You can see from the way Lewis’ mind works how he could write certain jokes for Dobbs to say." Black was blunt when it came to assessing his capabilities. "I’m like Lassie as an actor. There’s a certain range that I’m in. If you want a collie, you get Lassie. If you want a German shepherd, you get Rin Tin Tin. If you want somebody who is cranky and angry, you look for me. Isn’t that good?,he says and then deadpans, "Well, the Actors Studio loved that fucking answer." The role of Delacroy Voting Systems nasty guy, their Chief Legal Counsel Alan Stewart, went to Outer Critics Circle Award winner Jeff Goldblum. "I had seen Jeff in the play Pillow Man after I had written the script for this film," Levinson recalls. "I wondered if this character would intrigue him. Fortunately, it did." Goldblum, who had acted in the classic "Annie Hall" with fellow "Man of the Year" castmate Christopher Walken, is a keen political follower and found Levinson’s script timely and full of relatable comedy. After the director approached him with the role of the devious Alan Stewart, Goldblum found he couldn’t say no. Walken was a welcome addition says James G Robinson who describes the affable actor as a "prince to work with." And speaking of working, spare a thought for those snowy scenes in "Man Of The Year". They were shot in minus three degrees. How did the cast handle it? 'We did a lot of work in the cold," recalls Black. "We’re walking across this tarmac to a plane in a scene where Tom Dobbs’ team boards a plane. After the first take, we were out of there. Barry’s good at getting it right the first time." Levinson recalls "Laura was running around in pajamas and a coat for part of the movie." When asked about working in extreme conditions, Linney, who wowed audiences with her performance in "Jindabyne replied, "It was quite fun. Films are not like plays where you must consistently keep your body warm and keep 'actor fit'. If you have an opportunity to work in front of the camera all day long on a big chunk, grab it. Do it." The Verdict "If you're a fan of either Robin Williams, Laura Linney or Barry Levinson, "Man Of The Year" will be right up your alley. It's a film of many contrast covering the genres of comedy, romance and thriller all mixed into one storyline centred around Williams character Dobbs. Williams dose a fine job handling the more serious moments while unleashing a barrage of clever, pointed and very funny lines. Linney ensures her characters mix of emotions comes over strong, as she did in "Jindabyne". Good performances from the support cast which includes Christopher Walken as Dobbs emphysemic manager, Jeff Goldblum as the dark Alan Stewart and, Lewis Black who is every bit as funny as he was in "Unaccompanied Minors". Cast & Crew Bytes "MAN OF THE YEAR" stars .......
Academy ® and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Robin Williams ["Insomnia", "RV", "Happy Feet" and "Night at the Museum"]; Academy ®, BAFTA, Obie and Theatre World Award winner Christopher Walken ["Catch Me If You Can", "Welcome To The Jungle", "Wedding Crashers" and "Romance & Cigarettes"]; 2001 American Comedy Awards 'Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic' winner Lewis Black ["Hannah and Her Sisters", "Dependable People", "The Gynecologists" and "Unaccompanied Minors"]; Outer Critics Circle Award winner Jeff Goldblum ["Independence Day", "Cats & Dogs", "Igby Goes Down" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"], Rick Roberts ["Time To Sat Goodbye?" and "Waiting for Michelangelo"] and 2004 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series winner Laura Linney ["Love Actually", "Kinsey", "The Squid and the Whale" and "Jindabyne"] as Eleanor Green.
"MAN OF THE YEAR" was .......
directed by Academy ® EMMY Award winner Barry Levinson ["Diner", "The Natural", "Rain Man", "Wag The Dog" and "Bandits"]; screenplay by Barry Levinson ["Silent Movie", "Diner", "Tin Men" and "Sleepers"]; production design by Stefania Cella ["John Q" and "Assassination Tango"]; director of photography Camerimage Cinematography Award Dick Pope ["Naked", "The Air Up There", "Topsy-Turvy", "Vera Drake" and "The Illusionist"]; original music by Graeme Revell ["Dead Calm", "The Crow", "The Negotiator", "Open Water" and "Assault On Precinct 13"]; set decoration by Clive Thomasson ["John Q", "Spider", "Bulletproof Monk" and "Four Brothers"]; costume design by Delphine White ["The Wrong Guy", "Bulletproof Monk" and "The Man"]. Run Time 116 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2007 - Universal Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2007 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved