A conservative folk singer turns his hand to politics, running for the US Senate. He is not above dirty tricks and smear campaigns to gain an advantage over his opponent.A conservative folk singer turns his hand to politics, running for the US Senate. He is not above dirty tricks and smear campaigns to gain an advantage over his opponent.A conservative folk singer turns his hand to politics, running for the US Senate. He is not above dirty tricks and smear campaigns to gain an advantage over his opponent.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 3 nominations
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe first three albums by Bob Roberts - The Freewheelin' Bob Roberts, Times Are Changin' Back, and Bob on Bob - were spoofs of/based on/homages to Bob Dylan's classic albums The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A'Changin' and Blonde On Blonde, respectively, including the cover photos on the first two.
- GoofsIn a scene where Bob gets off the bus in "Harrisburg" a police barrier clearly says "City of Philadelphia."
- Quotes
Bob Roberts: Don't smoke crack. It's a ghetto drug.
- Crazy creditsAt the very end of the credits there is the screen-filling four-letter word 'VOTE'.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Sister Act/Encino Man/Alien³/Far and Away (1992)
- SoundtracksWhat Did The Teacher Tell You
Music and Lyrics by David Robbins & Tim Robbins
Produced and Arranged by David Robbins
Vocals by Novi Novog
Viola by Novi Novog
Robbins Egg Music (c) 1992, A.S.C.A.P.
Featured review
Bob Roberts Could Be The President
Tim Robbins made his politics perfectly clear in his writing/directing debut, 'Bob Roberts'. By taking swipes at two-faced politicians and the grinning-idiot members of the mainstream media who cover them, Robbins managed to make his left-wing cause with humour. Although this film is a comedy, it's not often laugh-out-loud funny, but it's actually quite balanced politically. I never felt this was turning into a polemic because ANY politician who runs a dishonest campaign---no matter which "wing" they represent---will feel the sting of this mockumentary.
As the title character, Robbins plays a right-wing senatorial candidate in Pennsylvania who badmouths the revolution of the '60s while prostituting '60s images and reworking old folk songs to sell his corrupt message. It's quite amusing to hear an outspoken actor play a guy who's such a polar opposite. Roberts has it in for drug users, the homeless, the unemployed, and any other group who aren't in the upper class. While the documentary filmmakers shoot all sorts of footage that can help the candidate look great, they also manage to get many shots of the Roberts team at their worst. To be honest, it might have been even more effective if Robbins didn't paint this man as the sleaze he really is. Letting the hateful folk songs (which are performed with great cheer) and the money-hungry message speak for themselves might indeed have been more powerful. Scenes of dissension and anger in the Roberts camp almost undermine what the film is trying to do.
As an actor, Tim Robbins has been in an equal mix of drama and comedy. It's interesting that the rookie director would follow this sly satire with the dead-serious 'Dead Man Walking'. It shows his range that he could be funny here while also expressing strong views, then dial it down for stark pathos while still expressing strong views in 'Dead Man Walking'. In these two films and in 'Cradle Will Rock', he uses his friends and stock company of familiar names (including wife Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, John Cusack, Bob Balaban, and several family members).
If 'This Is Spinal Tap', 'Best In Show', and 'Real Life' are among the best mockumentaries, 'Bob Roberts' is just a notch below. It doesn't have a particularly strong ending and the entire assassination subplot plays out as way too obvious. Giancarlo Esposito (Roberts chief pain-in-the-ass) is an annoying actor and his radical reporter character never benefits the film. Still, the sharp pokes this film takes are deserved and seem to be right on target. Here we are, 12 years later, and the movie is just as topical now. Not all political films manage to pull THAT off. Take a look at the poster, where the villainous Bob Roberts is draped in the American flag. The current administration would love this guy.
As the title character, Robbins plays a right-wing senatorial candidate in Pennsylvania who badmouths the revolution of the '60s while prostituting '60s images and reworking old folk songs to sell his corrupt message. It's quite amusing to hear an outspoken actor play a guy who's such a polar opposite. Roberts has it in for drug users, the homeless, the unemployed, and any other group who aren't in the upper class. While the documentary filmmakers shoot all sorts of footage that can help the candidate look great, they also manage to get many shots of the Roberts team at their worst. To be honest, it might have been even more effective if Robbins didn't paint this man as the sleaze he really is. Letting the hateful folk songs (which are performed with great cheer) and the money-hungry message speak for themselves might indeed have been more powerful. Scenes of dissension and anger in the Roberts camp almost undermine what the film is trying to do.
As an actor, Tim Robbins has been in an equal mix of drama and comedy. It's interesting that the rookie director would follow this sly satire with the dead-serious 'Dead Man Walking'. It shows his range that he could be funny here while also expressing strong views, then dial it down for stark pathos while still expressing strong views in 'Dead Man Walking'. In these two films and in 'Cradle Will Rock', he uses his friends and stock company of familiar names (including wife Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, John Cusack, Bob Balaban, and several family members).
If 'This Is Spinal Tap', 'Best In Show', and 'Real Life' are among the best mockumentaries, 'Bob Roberts' is just a notch below. It doesn't have a particularly strong ending and the entire assassination subplot plays out as way too obvious. Giancarlo Esposito (Roberts chief pain-in-the-ass) is an annoying actor and his radical reporter character never benefits the film. Still, the sharp pokes this film takes are deserved and seem to be right on target. Here we are, 12 years later, and the movie is just as topical now. Not all political films manage to pull THAT off. Take a look at the poster, where the villainous Bob Roberts is draped in the American flag. The current administration would love this guy.
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- El ciudadano Bob Roberts
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,900,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,479,470
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $314,275
- Sep 7, 1992
- Gross worldwide
- $4,479,470
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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