Rating: 
Summary: Right On the Nosey!
Review: I agree with "A Viewer from USA", this movie SHOULD be shown in every school and movie house in the United States. Regrettably, I'm afraid most Americans in today's more-aggressively-conservative-than-even-Reagan's-administration climate would take seriously and embrace the message sent by Robbins' candidate Roberts. The songs sung by candidate Roberts in the movie would likely not be taken for the satire they are and instead be adopted whole-cloth by many in 2003 America (which is why Robbins never released a movie soundtrack of "Bob Roberts"). A chilling and demoralizing thought indeed.
Robbins' message retains its vitality and legitimacy even 11 years after its release. Indeed, perhaps its message is even more accurate and necessary today ( April 2003) than it was in 1992.
Rating:
Summary: Prerequisite for Voters
Review: This is a very important movie. See how politicians manipulate the masses. Also note how the same arguments to attack Iraq in 1990 are being rerun today in 2003. This movie should be shown in every high school and college and theater around the world. Tim Robbins has really created a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film Ever Made About Politics and Power in America
Review: How do you give a film more than five stars? For "Bob Roberts" is the best, bar none, film about politics andpower in the United States. It is entertaining; it is enlightening; it is an amusing, satirical romp that time has not rendered out-of-date. Indeed, ten years after its release, it is more timely than ever.This is due in part to Tim Robbins' deft talent for poking all sorts of holes in the balloons of the sanctimonious prigs who comprise the right wing of the nation's political spectrum. But, above all, it is due to the presence in the film of our greatest living writer and man of letters, Gore Vidal. Vidal's portrayal of incumbant senator Brickley Paste (D-PA), under siege from a folk-singing "rebel" Neanderthal (of course, Bob Roberts), is pointed, ironic and above all else educational. For in his regretably short time on the screen, Vidal lays open for us his view of recent American history, all in that tired but wise man of the world way he has of stating truths that no one else (save people like Noam Chomsky and Christopher Hitchens) has the guts to say. "Bob Roberts" is ultimately a film that brings us beneath the surface of American politics; and for this reason I suspect that it will never become as popular as other great political films, such as "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "The Last Hurrah." For these are the films that depict politics as we would like it to be ("Mr. Smith") or at least as we can tolerate it to be (" The Last Hurrah"). They do not however depict politics as it has become. In this respect, "Bob Roberts" is the perfect sequel to "The Last Hurrah;" but the substance of its message is so painful that only the most ardently committed to civil liberties and a republican (small "r")form of government can bear
it.
Rating: 
Summary: Broad Satire
Review: This movie is a satire on conservative politics. It is mean spirited, and obvious. Bob Roberts reminds me of Bill Clinton more than any conservative. So maybe the movie has an unintentional irony that makes it worth watching. It does have cameos(look for the Seinfeld connection), and it is Jack Black's first movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Its been a while since I've seen this but
Review: its well worth watching. Very smart and funny, and dead-on in its examination of politicians and the media. A little heavy-handed but still good.
Rating:
Summary: This movie is not to be taken seriously!!!
Review: People have written that this film bashes the right and gives praise to the left. If you look beneath the surface you will see that this movie is a humorous political satire that pokes fun at both rightwing conservative republicans and liberal democrats. Also, this film musn't be taken so seriously. Its political undertones are only part of its comic genius.
Rating: 
Summary: Tune Out
Review: Tim Robbins plays Bob Roberts a right-wing folksinger and entrepreneurial millionaire who stands as a candidate for office. The film is set up as a documentary of this campaign. The first problem is it seems little effort was put into the Roberts character, particularly his unfunny folk songs - there have been plenty of songs that were held aloft as right-wing anthems, from "Okie from Muskogee" to "God Bless the USA", these pusedo-songs almost come off as parodies of themselves. The only bright spot of the film is the portrayal of two of Roberts youthful male supporters. Looking like your typical blue blazer College Republicans they worship Bob, because in their words, "He's rich!" and are willing to go to further extremes as the Roberts campaign prepares to break all the boundaries for victory. A good premise poorly executed. For films on political campaigns you're better off with Robert Redford's 'The Candidate', for a movie about media manipulation for questionable political ideals see, 'A Face in the Crowd'.
Rating:
Summary: Wickedly funny; incisive commentary; political hot potato
Review: .
In this pseudo-documentary (think "This Is Spinal Tap"), Tim Robbins plays a Republican candidate for the U.S. senate. Bob Roberts doesn't suggest platforms or programs, so much as just express feelings. And, because he's a folk singer of conservative songs (such as "The Times Are Changin' Back"), he doesn't give speeches -- at any time -- so much as sing songs in political concerts. So his candidacy is largely sheltered from close scrutiny. Despite the time period being an era when incumbents almost always win, Roberts makes it close against his Democratic incumbent opponent, played by Gore Vidal. Vidal's character is hampered by allegations, and the whole thing is a funny, ironic roller coaster. In his screenplay, Robbins introduces hard questions about political corruption, the military industry, and the demonizing of world leaders in order to support military funding. Today, this is reminiscent of President Bush's "axes of evil" declaration, and the politics may anger some (especially since Saddam Hussein is repeatedly shown as the Evil of the Day). But if you can set that aside, I think you can enjoy this political satire for all that it accomplishes. A special treat is the myriad actors who float by the screen - - you'll have a lot of fun there, just as you might have enjoyed in "This Is Spinal Tap." In addition to all those who are in the credits (and the list is long!), I think I -also- saw Broadway actor Chip Zein (the Baker from the original "Into The Woods") with a brief line in a crowd scene towards the end. But there are perhaps a good dozen others you'll recognize from other movies (I was about to list them, but stopped in order to maintain some surprise for you). My one reservation, and it's considerable, is that I think the sound needs to be re-mixed. A number of funny side conversations are lost, and you need to skip back and crank up the volume. This, of course, breaks up the continuity. Extras include commentary by Robbins and Vidal.
Rating:
Summary: I normally only write book reviews, but . . .
Review: Bob Roberts is the fictional documentary about an ultra-conservative folk-singer (I can't figure that one either!) who decides to run for Senate in 1990. Obviousley this movie is not supposed to show what politicians and campaigns are REALLY like (so calm down people!). It exagerates the qualities of politicians and voters to prove a point. ...this movie not only makes a mockery of the ultra-conservative agenda, but it also is a slap in the face of you all -- the voting public. Bob Roberts is clearly a sleazy, shallow, and deceptive character, but the public cannot seem to see past him on the surface level. Theycontinue sporting their red, white, and blue colors while mindlessly humming his comicly absurd folk tunes. While it IS grossly exagerated, Bob Roberts does suggest some REAL trends in American politics, conservative and liberal. Robert's appearance on the Saturday night entertainment show (meant to represent SNL) is no doubt a reference to Clinton's appearance on Arseneo Hall during his 1992 campaign. It suggests that the American Political Scene is being dumbed down SO much that it needs to appeal to the segments of society where image is more important than the real world (we also saw this in the debate between Roberts and Paisley). Definately, Bush II's appearance on Oprah (and immediate jump in the polls) is a recent example of this "dumbing down." I am very liberal, but I don't like this movie because is trashes the GOP. It trashes the trend in American politics, and the mindless ignorant American public that is complicit in that trend. I recommend Bob Roberts both for its humor AND its message. I'm just dissapointed that Robbins refused to issue a soundtrack to this movie. I was looking forward to purchasing these tunes and listening to them anytime I needed a good laugh!
Rating:
Summary: Very funny movie
Review: This movie is a very funny chronicle of an ultra-conservative folk singer turned senatorial candidate. Tim Robbins wrote, directed, and starred in the movie, and did an excellent job portraying the bubbly, reactionary Roberts. Also notable in the cast was Gore Vidal, ostensibly cast as Brickley Paiste, but really pretty much playing himself (had he won his own senatorial campaign in the 1960's). Really the strong point of this movie is the songs. All are very, very funny. I honestly don't know what other reviewers are talking about when they say this movie was unfunny. Bizarre, just bizarre. One criticism that I have of this movie is the portrayal of the Democratic candidate (Gore Vidal) as some kind of saintly, totally genuine liberal. There are very few people like this in Washington, and I think Robbins missed an opportunity to show some of the more farcical aspects of the American election process. I think it would have demonstrated the lack of real choice in elections much better if Brickley Paiste and Bob Roberts had had essentially the same views. Paiste would of course package them in politico-ese, and then Roberts would expose them for their ridiculousness. Oh well. A number of other reviewers have described this movie as unrealistic, "a liberal's wet dream", etc. The movie is, of course, not realistic. It's a parody of the extreme far right in America. The scary part is that in the intervening decade since its production, this movie has not proved *that* unrealistic. Newt Gingrich can't sing, and I don't think Robbins could have predicted the idea of "compassionate conservatism." Other than that, it's a little closer to the mark than is healthy for American political life.
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