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October 27, 2006 > Arts & Entertainment > Satire reigns supreme in Man of the Year

Satire reigns supreme in Man of the Year

By Tasha Chemplavil | Thresher staff

Barry Levinson’s Man of the Year answers the unasked question of what would happen if a politically savvy comedian were elected president.

While the very concept probably has George Washington rolling in his grave, it cannot be any worse than having George W. in the driver’s seat. At least with the comedian, one does not have to feel guilty about laughing at the leader of the free world. Robin Williams (Death to Smoochy) returns to the kind of spastic and energetic comedy that made him a star. Williams plays Tom Dobbs, the witty host of a Daily Show-style television program. Dobbs decides to run for president as an independent at the suggestion of an audience member frustrated with career politicians.

Dobbs’ irreverent attitude resonates with voters. In him they see the hope for an alternative government that believes in the benefits of alternative fuels — and maybe even honesty.

Dobbs’s campaign team is led by Christopher Walken (The Wedding Crashers) and the aptly-cast Lewis Black (The Daily Show), who simply want to shake things up and get voters thinking. Dobbs and his team never expect to win, so when a computer glitch declares Dobbs the winner, he is as surprised as everyone else.

Computer technician Eleanor Green (The Squid and the Whale’s Laura Linney) discovers the glitch and tells Dobbs. Dobbs must decide whether to tell the country he is not the next president or to take the post he did not rightfully win.

Beneath Man of the Year’s obvious humor lie legitimate concerns about the current political climate in the United States. In both the movie and in real life, many are frustrated with the government and are desperate for a solution to the corruption and chaos. It is often unclear where politicians’ loyalties really lie — with the American people or with the lobbyists that fund their campaigns.

To counter this legitimate concern of the movie’s electorate, Dobbs refuses to spend money on advertising, proclaiming “candidates are not products.” Voters worry about high gas prices and America’s reliance on foreign oil. Dobbs calls for the use of hydrogen and biodiesel as alternative energy sources.

Levinson manages to rein in some of Williams’ characteristic over-the-top antics, but the moviegoer will have trouble separating Williams the actor from Dobbs the character.

Unfortunately, Walken is not given a chance to display his brilliant deadpan humor; better writing for his part could have enlivened the film’s hit-or-miss comedy.

While Man of the Year has been marketed as a comedy, the film attempts to infuse political commentary with humor and is mostly successful. Man of the Year almost convinces the audience that Dobbs’ political savvy and nonpartisan sensibilities make him the perfect candidate. But could a comedian really become president? A line from the movie answers this question best: “A jester does not rule the kingdom. He makes fun of the king.”

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