Real news versus fake news, which is winning? Well, political comedians like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have massive fan bases -- there are even movements for them to run for the presidency. Writer/director Barry Levinson takes those fans' desires and puts them on the big screen in "Man of the Year."
Late night talk show host Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) gets an idea from a fan: run for president. He does and at first he takes it too seriously, refusing to resort to humor to get his point across. A debate with the incumbent president and a senator changes everything. As they pander to the cameras, he dives into the issues and into their campaign issues.
Behind the campaign race is the new way to vote: A digital touch screen by the Delacroy company. Eleanor Green (Laura Linney) has discovered a glitch in the system which leads to the need by Delacroy to silence her and to a presidential win by a comedian.
When the glitch really affects the system, Eleanor finds a way into Dobbs' inner circle and she has to break the news to him. But she starts to believe that he is the best thing for America.
"Man of the Year" is a movie full of one-liners and great actors, but instead of focusing on the comedy of Dobbs making it into office, it throws in that glitch sub-plot. The trailers portray "Man" as a comedy, with Williams' character suggesting Bruce Springsteen as Secretary of State and dressing in a full Thomas Jefferson outfit.
The Delacroy sub-plot was an interesting twist, but it became too overblown, forcing the real plot -- Dobbs in office -- onto the backburner. The movie was leaning too heavily on this conspiracy. Does the audience need to see Jeff Goldblum as a Delacroy lawyer go on a tirade, scolding Eleanor for wanting to bring down the company? No. Delacroy resorts to trying to discredit and kill her, as any evil company would.
The glitch was just another form of the hanging chad. It's obvious that the voting system is less than perfect at the present time, but would the government implement an untested program? Most likely not.
Linney puts forth a stellar performance, especially when Delacroy drugs her without her knowledge. But as the press gets ahold of her story, it's hard to not wonder why Dobbs didn't just use his new found power to look into Eleanor's background to prove she's not a crazy stalker or drug addict.
Levinson decided to not utilize Williams fully. The jokes, although amusing, come from many of his past stand-up performances.
However, threesome of Williams with Christopher Walken and Lewis Black, as manager and producer, is a good one. Their personalities complemented one another, and it's hard not to like Walken in any role he does.
By far the best scene is Dobbs during the debate, as he ignores the moderator, interrupts responses and takes center stage.
Also amusing, the incumbent president's last name is Kellogg and the opponent is Mills. Someone had cereal companies on the brain when writing.
