Robin Williams in Man of the Year: Entertaining and Thought Provoking

In Man of the Year, we follow a political comedian on the campaign trail in a bid to outrun entrenched political power moguls who have traded representation of the people for representation of special interest groups comprised of power echelon who foist profit above earth, air, wind and honor. 

Rapid fire scenes show the adroit cinematography and directorial finery of UK cinematographer Dick Pope (The Illusionist) and veteran, award winning and acclaimed director Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog, Rain Man), not to leave unmentioned the linguistic gymnastics of Robin Williams, Christopher Walken and Lewis Black (Accepted) in behind-the-scenes scenes that have the stamp, whether authentically or by orchestrated design, of improvisational repartee and spontaneous showmanship between old and trusted colleagues and friends.

By contrast, in a setting of deliberate, measured and calculated high tech stakes for big money gambles, we accompany Laura Linney (The Squid and the Whale, PS), as a computer expert, on her journey into forbidden waters of found errors and ruinous glitches, which, when reckoned with, prove to be forces powerful enough to either bring the monied technical elite to its knees or to bring her to her knees. The drama of Man of the Year unfolds as she races to a decision which propels her into actions that lead her into unchartered waters.

Man of the Year's contrasting story lines of comedian and computer expert come to a juncture as the principals' interests merge. As options narrow, inner qualities come to the fore directing choices. It is this that carries us along to the final fruition of behaviors and actions.

Robin Williams as Tom Dobbs in Man of the Year.

Credit: Ava Gerlitz

Copyright: Universal Studios