4. Man of The Year
What We Got: A sub-standard Robin Williams Electoral Politics Satire, with a romantic interest and an election conspiracy plot added in.
What It Should've Been: A Robin Williams Electoral Politics Satire. Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Jeff Goldblum, and even professional shouter Lewis Black star in a Barry Levinson satire about the American Election process, sounds like a winner on paper... alright I think you know the drill by now. This is another one of those movies that could never decide which genre to be, a goofy comedy, a political satire, a conspiracy thriller, the movie seemingly had multiple-personality syndrome. Robin Williams playing a Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert type of comedic pundit, decides that he doesn't want to just put a comical spin on the news, he wants to make the news. He decides to run as an independent in the coming general election. As with most of the failed Williams vehicles, the filmmakers just don't give him enough breathing room to work his unique comedic stylings. They add in a dull sub-plot about accidentally rigging the election with Laura Linney's character, which eventually leads to her becoming a forced romantic interest for Williams' character. Which takes precious time away from the promising premise of a political satirist getting elected to the highest office in the land, especially when he is played by the manic Williams. A stand-up special featuring Williams taking jabs at the state of current affairs in politics would be more welcomed and entertaining then what 'Man of the Year' turned out to be.