BOB ROBERTS 

DISCOVERY:
I saw this one upon the recommendation of a friend.

Bob Roberts is a powerful statement, a daring accusation of the status quo of the American political arena, and an alarum of what is to come. Bob Roberts is a formula politician, a composite of glad-handing con artist candidates throughout US history. He's a wolf in a wool suit.  By film's end, you will not doubt that a  blood-thirsty fascist, dictator can and will rise to power in this nation, and you will wonder why it hasn't happened already... or has it?  Is this tale Swiftian foreshadowing, or a spotlight shining on the writing on the wall?

This is a fast-paced mockumentary. A fictional tale told in documentary style. (cf This is Spinal Tap)  Bob Roberts may remind you of The Candidate (1972), with Robert Redford and The Dead Zone with Martin Sheen

"We're living in a dangerous time where all rebellion is sold back to us, and the symbols of rebellion are just that—mere symbols. No longer can you evaluate people based on what they look like..." 
         
—Andrea Juno of RE/Search in interview with Paul Krassner, issue #11

FINALE:
In the concluding sequence we are treated to a pan around the interior of the Jefferson Memorial. His words about tyranny, chiseled in marble, made me wonder about the honesty and integrity of ol' Tom. himself.  

STYLE:  
Bob Roberts
is not purely camp, it has a serious edge. Outstanding performances by all players with convincing, believable characters and scenarios, but tongue in cheek, nonetheless.  

Gore Vidal gives his Frog in the Frying Pan allegory of the aristocracy and the American people.

FILMOGRAPHY:
Tim Robbins' background: born 1958. Married to Susan Sarandon. LA theater co-op with John Cusack. Played "Nuke" Laloosh in Bull Durham (1988).
Also played in Sure Thing; Howard the Duck Top Gun; Erik the Viking; Cadillac Man Directorial Debut: Bob Roberts.  

If you enjoyed Bob Roberts, then I recommend you read Gore Vidal's The Decline and Fall of the American Empire 1992, 90 pages. 10% of after tax sales go to organizations working for social justice.

PERIOD/LOCATION: Modern day (1990s), USA.   

   Alan Rickman and Tim Robins

Alan Rickman and Tim Robins

credits:
 103:00 min.    1992    USA    English   color
Directed by
Tim Robbins
Written by:
Tim Robbins
Cast:
Tim Robbins .... Bob Roberts
Giancarlo Esposito .... Bugs Raplin
Alan Rickman .... Lukas Hart III
Ray Wise .... Chet MacGregor
Brian Murray  .... Terry Manchester
Gore Vidal .... Sen. Brickley Paiste
Rebecca Jenkins .... Delores Perrigrew
Harry J. Lennix .... Franklin Dockett
John Ottavino  .... Clark Anderson
Robert Stanton .... Bart Macklerooney
Kelly Willis .... Clarissa Flan
Merrilee Dale .... Polly Roberts
Tom Atkins .... Dr. Caleb Menck
David Strathairn .... Bugs' Attorney, Mack Laflin
James Spader .... News Anchor, Chuck Marlin
Pamela Reed .... News Anchor, Carol Cruise
Helen Hunt .... Hospital Reporter, Rose Pondell
Eva Amurri .... Child in Hospital
Jim West .... Bus Driver
Peter Gallagher .... Morning News Anchor, Dan Riley
Lynne Thigpen .... Kelly Noble
Bingo O'Malley .... Robert Roberts Sr
Kathleen Chalfant .... Constance Roberts
Ruth Lesko .... Schoolteacher
Jack Black .... Roger
Anita Gillette .... Mrs. Davis
Matthew Faber .... Calvin
Matt McGrath  .... Burt
Susan Sarandon .... News Anchor, Tawna Titan
Fred Ward .... Chip Daley
Charles R. Altman .... Debate Moderator
Shannon Holt .... Rita, the Obsessed Fan
Staci Marcum .... Miss Philadelphia
John Cusack .... Cutting Edge Host

 

Original Music by 

David Robbins &
Tim Robbins   (songs)
 Credits complements of IMDb

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  Numerical

Return to the Blab Home Page