Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Man of the Year Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 15, 2020

Barry Levinson directs Man of the Year like a man who knows his subject and his star. In 1997 he released the satirical Political film Wag the Dog about a manufactured war created to cover up a scandal, while a decade earlier he directed Star Robin Williams in the hit film Good Morning, Vietnam. Man of the Year stars Williams as an unlikely Presidential candidate, and eventual winner, elected by chance rather than choice, by malfunctioning computer rather than masterful campaigning. It’s witty and sometimes smart, if not a bit generic in the whole “everyone is sick of the left-right paradigm” angle. Unfortunately, the picture deteriorates in the second half into a bland Thriller-light with little meat to offer audiences hungry for a fresh take on a tired subject.

TV comedian Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) makes his living poking fun at and around the political scene. He’s spent so much time filleting the parties and the people in them that he’s become very well versed in the issues and seems to have a grasp on what can unite the country and what can divide it. He’s compelled to run for President of the United States when a single, throwaway comment from the audience sparks a grassroots movement in support of his candidacy. Dobbs hits the trail and takes the process seriously. His campaign manager and longtime friend, Jack Menken (Christopher Walken), encourages him to liven things up, to add some “pop or zing” to his stump speech. People don’t want to hear him talk the issues; they want to hear him crack the whip and have some fun at the candidates’, and the system’s, expense. Dobbs’ campaign gains enough traction to earn him an invite to the final debate with the Republican and Democrat candidates during which Dobbs finds that magical balance between hitting the issues and hitting his comedic stride. He smacks down both candidates and divides opinion between the public and the pundits. On election night, Dobbs begins taking states left and right, red and blue, sea to shining sea, and is declared the victor, even as he doesn’t appear one every state's ballot.

Meanwhile, far away but very germane to Dobbs’ election, a voting machine company employee, Eleanor Green (Laura Linney), discovers a glitch in the system, but the company’s CEO, James Hemmings (Rick Roberts), ignores the warnings. When it becomes clear that Dobbs’ election is the result of a technical error rather than a real grassroots uprising in favor of a popular third party candidate, Eleanor finds herself on the run from the company’s henchmen, out to destroy her life before she can destroy everything Hemmings and his right-hand man (Jeff Goldblum) have worked so hard to achieve, the “real” election results be damned.

The movie is very kinetic and energetic to begin. The audience gets a zap of Dobbs' charm and wit from the outset and quickly thereafter becomes absorbed in his campaign, which seems to quickly take off and see him gain widespread support, enough to put him in that critical final debate. It is here where the movie peaks, with Williams turning on the charm, the comedy, and the fervor in one magical sequence when the debate turns into a hilarious monologue where the moderator cannot regain control and Williams rants on about the state of social and political affairs in his trademark style, bringing a humorous bend to his insight and commentary on very serious issues that both sides fail to settle.

It’s mostly downhill from there. Dobbs is elected president not surrounded by glitz and glamour but soberly while bedside with his bedridden best friend, putting a somber note on an otherwise surprising turn of events. But the second half never can match that same energy, though it doesn’t try, or that same level of interest, which is ultimately what does it in. The second half stumbles through the voting machine scandal, which might prove more interesting were it the movie’s main focus (think something along the lines of The Insider). That ultimately leads to somewhat dark Thriller elements and a light, burgeoning romance between Tom and Eleanor. But both ends are so tonally divergent that it's difficult to accept the second after enjoying the first. Granted the tone is perfectly reflective of the story's meat-and-potatoes, but it doesn't work so well in a two hour film.

Man of the Year Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Man of the Year's Blu-ray will appeal to a wide base of viewers, offering a fundamentally sound 1080p picture. The image is generally pleasant. Grain is retained, looking a little snowy throughout, a tad sharp, but complimentary of the picture's filmic roots and reinforcing the innate clarity in evidence throughout. Sharpness is never in question; details are firm and sure, with close-ups offering intimate revelatory nuances across faces, clothes, and locations alike. Colors are a bit less dramatic, lacking the precision depth and detail one might expect to find. Contrast seems dialed down slightly, leaving colors looking a little flat and pale, blacks a little lighter than ideal at times, and the movie often finding an airy, sometimes maybe even gauzy appearance. Even the boldest reds and blues show up looking a tad bit depressed and flat. Contrarily, there are times when black levels seem to push a little too hard. The picture is more than serviceable in sum but seems lacking a bit in some areas.

Man of the Year Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Man of the Year's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack yields a fruitful, expressive listen. The track is well rounded in all ways. Music presents widely and aggressively, particularly across the front but also, prominently, through the rears as well. It maintains impressive clarity even in the most ambitious of presentation requirements. Surrounds additionally carry crowd din and applause, the latter often very prominent and well detailed even in the most raucous responses to Dobbs' antics, whether as a comedian or as a candidate. The track offers plenty of energy during a campaign montage around the 33-minute mark, perfectly balancing energetic music, high impact and immersive crowd noise, and Dobbs' impassioned speech. It's arguably the sonic highlight throughout the film, proving its vitality and unflinching expertise. Lighter atmospherics are always nicely ingrained into the track and delivered without fault. Dialogue, whether intimate conversations or shouts at a political rally or debate, emanate firmly from the center, boasting solid prioritization and lifelike clarity.

Man of the Year Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Man of the Year contains two featurettes. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

• Robin Williams: A "Stand Up" Guy (1080i, 9:11): Exploring, primarily, Robin Williams' performance but also the script and the movie's themes.
• Commander and Chief (1080i, 12:49):Cast and crew explore characters, performances, and some light behind-the-scenes components.

Man of the Year Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Man of the Year plays very well to start but stumbles once the tone shifts darker. The two ends don't mesh together very well, and when Williams is forced to downplay the humor in favor of the corporate intrigue, the movie loses its charm and appeal. But Williams is great to start and the movie does put him in good company, supported by strong work from people like Laura Linney, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Walken. Sony's Blu-ray is fairly good. Video is fine but could seemingly be a bit better. Audio is the technical highlight. A couple of extras are also included. Recommended.