man of the year tell the story of tom dobbs ( robin williams ) a political comedian ( like jon stewart or stephen colbert ) who have his own television show . on his show he talk about all sort of thing but his main focus be political issue which he be very opinionated about . one day on his show and a fan from the audience raise the idea that dobbs should run for president of the united state . after that episode air and million flock to the web to create various petition and voice their opinion on why dobbs would make a great candidate for the president for the united state . a few week later and dobbs decides to run for president and low and behold win the election . everything seem to be go a plan until a woman by the name of eleanor green ( laura linney ) show up and start some controversy regard his position . a funny yet serious political thriller ensues man anyone walk into this film expect to see a brainless comedy will surely be disappoint . i always wonder how some people be film marketer when i see how mislead their marketing campaign . man of the year be a great example of bad and misleading marketing and because everything from the poster and to the trailer and to the online advertisement make this movie look and feel like a comedy . i would honestly have to say about 1/3 of the film be funny while the rest of it play off a a political thriller that make good argument and allow it audience to think . i kind of wonder in this case if the marketing be do on purpose since this film address pretty serious issue in between it comedy routine . but enough about marketing and let get down to the film itself . i really liked man of the year even though i be expect to see a comedy instead of a serious film . one of the many thing i will give this film credit for be that the film do a decent job switch between comedy and drama even though at first it seem a little awkward . i really think that after you figure this out that the movie be go to be more of a political thriller than a comedy you get comfortable with it . some may not because they be lead to believe that they be see a comedy and do not understand what this film be try to say in the end but for those people they can blame the marketer for not advertise this film right . man of the year talk about a lot of thing and seem to have a very strong opinion . a tom dobbs speaks he be say thing that need to be say and isn not about candy coat them . i also think the whole political subplot and while most critic say hurt the film probably again because of the misleading marketing and be very good . the idea of computerize voting have be toss around the last few year and with all the problem computer have the issue be address in this film could surely be realistic . also the control big business have over voting also get addressed . as far a acting go and i think everyone involve do a good job . robin williams have a chance to be funny yet serious at the same time by play tom dobbs . some say that williams have overstay his welcome a a comedian but i personally still think he be funny and he a good serious actor a well . this be probably one of the few occasion though that we get to see him go back and forth from serious to funny and i think it work well . also it nice to see lewis black co star in a decent film . again i like black when he appear on the daily show and do stand up however most of the film he have be in be awful . this be a good movie for him because i think his political view fit in with the story that director barry levinson be try to convey . laura linney be a fine addition to the cast and prove once again that she be a very good actress and lastly christopher walken and jeff goldblum both do a very good job a always with this role hand to them . man of the year be write and direct by barry levinson and the man who have bring u such film a rain man and good morning vietnam and and wag the dog . levinson do a fine job write the film and direct it . like i say i know a lot of critic do not like the whole political thriller aspect of the film but i think it fit in nicely . it be actually nice to watch a mainstream movie that allow me to both think and laugh at the same time . barry levinson do a fine job with this film . in the end and do not go into this film expect to see the movie that the commercial be sell you . it do have laugh but at the same time it play off more a a political drama . it not a stupid or silly a the marketing campaign lead you to believe . i really like the fact that this film that this film wasn not a typical hollywood film . it try to be a comedy and a serious drama at the same time and work at least for me . i like the fact that the film do not really tone down any of the issue it address nor do it have a typical hollywood end . i be try to call the end from the get go but surprisingly it do not end the way i think which make me happy . it a movie that will make you laugh but then a few minute later allow you to think and wonder what go to happen next . i think it a good movie that will be hurt by it bad marketing .