"Man of the Year" loses the race

I am a longtime Robin Williams fan, so I jumped at the chance to see "Man of the Year." What could be better than seeing a movie whose plot centers on Williams as a comedian-turned-politician? Unfortunately, as it turns out, many things could be better. Though it would seem that accepting a role that mimics his real-life job wouldn't be a challenge for Williams, his portrayal of comedian Tom Dobbs is far from believable. I found Williams' portrayal of a transvestite 60-something woman in "Mrs. Doubtfire" more convincing.

Inspired by a comment made on his talk show, Dobbs decides to run for president. He proceeds to sweep the nation with rock-star-like rallies that call for complete governmental reform. Dobbs doesn't really seem to run on a platform; instead, he relies on the American public's increasing disdain of party politics. His television and campaign managers become angry with his increasingly humorless political speeches when he decides he wants to be taken as a serious politician. During his appearance at a presidential debate, however, Dobbs breaks all conventions and spends most of the debate talking out of turn, telling jokes like he would on his televised comedy show. So, wait, I'm confused, are we supposed to think of Dobbs as a serious but humorous politician or a political comedian?

The campaigning storyline is also timely, alluding to problems with America's voting system. In Dobbs' presidential election, the country has decided to eliminate the ballot and only use electronic Delacroy brand voting machines. Eleanor Green, played by Laura Linney, discovers a glitch in the voting system and reports it to the CEO of Delacroy, who decides that, with the election so close and with his stock on the rise, it would be best to ignore the warning.

Though no one believes that Dobbs will win, on Election Day, the public seems to appreciate his attempt to shake up politics: he is declared the winner. As it turns out, his title as president-elect wasn't earned through a majority vote; it was due to a computer malfunction. Green, aware of the election fraud, wants justice. Delacroy seems to have other plans, however, saying that America's "perception of the truth is better than the actual truth." The CEO and his lawyer, played by Jeff Goldblum, set plans in motion to discredit Green in case she decides to go public with the news of Delacroy's computer glitch. That night, Green is attacked and injected with a heavy dose of barbiturates that renders her psychotic in the Delacroy office the following morning.

This is when the movie starts to get really boring. Unable to find anyone who will believe her story, Green decides to fly to Washington to talk to president-elect Dobbs, who would, of course, believe her. After introducing herself, Green and Dobbs seem to develop a sort of romantic interest in one another. Wasn't this movie supposed to be a comedy about politics? I didn't bargain for a bad love story.

It takes Green about three weeks to break the bad news about the computer glitch to Dobbs. By this time, the Delacroy CEO has gone public with the news of Green's alleged psychotic break and drug problems. While most have discredited her, Dobbs believes her. Perhaps he is supposed to be a comedian-cum-politician with a heart, or maybe he is just in love.

I haven't been completely fair to "Man of the Year." I appreciated the film for its timeliness with the upcoming elections. Its talk of jadedness with both the Republican and Democratic parties has a particular place in American society today. With most states facing gubernatorial and senatorial elections in the next month, the movie makes us think about what it means to be a good politician: a representative with heart that listens to the American public. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if he or she had a sense of humor as well. Pros: Robin Williams is the man Cons: Poor plot line is not believable; boring