A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Man of the Year (2006)

Date of original theatrical release: 2006

Details:

Robin Williams

Christopher Walken

Laura Linney

Jeff Goldblum

Director: Barry Levinson

Score: +

The Review: Robin Williams plays a “Bill Maher” and SNL-like character -- a political satirist delivering fake TV news -- who becomes convinced to run for president, and wins! Things get very interesting at this point, and progress in directions unanticipated. The situation is fraught with problems, compounded because a new, fully-computerized voting system has been instituted for the first time, and underneath the hood of an attractive, easy-to-use electronic poll may lurk at least one insidious bug -- intentional or not, isn’t clear. The programmer who uncovers the problem (Linney) becomes persona non grata.

The trailers for this movie did not do it justice; indeed, they were totally misleading. Although comedy plays a major role, this is not primarily a comedy, and is all the better for that. Surprisingly engaging and interesting.

(25-Aug-07)

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