Bob Roberts (1992)
88%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 3 nominations
Bob Roberts is a political satire that is as relevant today as it was when it was released in 1992. Tim Robbins’ directorial debut is a biting commentary on the intersection of entertainment, business, and politics. The film’s titular character is a charismatic and manipulative politician who uses his folksy charm and catchy folk songs to win over voters. While the film’s first 30 minutes are its strongest, the rest of the film is still a thought-provoking and entertaining look at the dark side of American politics. Robbins’ direction is reminiscent of the young Orson Welles, and his satire is savvy and complex enough to send mixed signals to viewers about politics and pop culture. Both Democrats and Republicans may find supporting evidence for their arguments in this picture. Overall, Bob Roberts is a prescient and astonishingly up-to-the-minute film that creates the eerie effect of having been ripped from tomorrow’s headlines.
Bob Roberts is like that one guy at a party who talks a big game but can’t deliver. Sure, he’s charismatic and promises the world, but when it comes down to it, he falls short. The movie starts off strong, but by the end, it’s like the fun got lost somewhere along the way. Still, it’s a bold and hilarious take on politics that takes a stand on real issues. Plus, it’s so prescient that it feels like it was ripped from tomorrow’s headlines. So, if you’re looking for a political horror story for teens and adults, give Bob Roberts a watch. Just don’t expect him to deliver on all his promises.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Paramount Pictures, Pathé Contemporary Films, Pioneer Entertainment, Live Video, Artisan Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for momentary language
Year of Release
1992
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):English, German
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 4, 1992 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2016
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Ray Wise, Brian Murray, Gore Vidal, Rebecca Jenkins, James Spader, John Cusack, Susan Sarandon, Alan Rickman, directed by Tim Robbins, written by Tim Robbins, produced by Forrest Murray, comedy, drama, R rating, box office gross $3.5M, reviewed by Clifford Terry, Kenneth Turan, David Ansen, Anthony Lane, Owen Gleiberman, David Sterritt, Malcolm Johnson, Heather Boerner, Cole Smithey, Emanuel Levy, Caffeinated Clint, political satire, mockumentary, conservative, far-right, social views, economic views, drug-trafficking scheme, assassination attempt, investigative journalist, acoustic folk songs, rallies, incumbent senator, insurgent campaign, millionaire, modern politics, lampoon, entertainment, business, politics, Paramount Pictures, Pathé Contemporary Films, Pioneer Entertainment, Live Video, Artisan Entertainment, stereo, Dolby, surround
Worldwide gross: $4,479,470
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,588,420
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,975
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,045,629
US/Canada gross: $4,479,470
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,588,420
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,626
US/Canada opening weekend: $314,275
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $672,714
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,332
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Giancarlo Esposito – Bugs Raplin
Ray Wise – Chet MacGregor
Brian Murray – Terry Manchester
Gore Vidal – Senator Brickley Paiste
Rebecca Jenkins – Delores Perrigrew
Director(s)
Tim Robbins
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Forrest Murray
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (43) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (2)
Like a relentlessly charismatic political candidate offering the moon, stars and a viable health-care plan, ”Bob Roberts” promises much but ultimately fails to deliver.
September 15, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/4
Clifford Terry
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Whether we find Our Bob appealing or anathema, it is a measure of Robbins’ exceptional success that no one can doubt how seductive a candidate like this would be in an election near you.
September 15, 2020
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
After a summer in Hollywood fantasyland, at last we have an American movie that rattles our cage-and pokes a sharp spear into the body politic. Now that’s entertainment.
February 8, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
The first 30 minutes of Bob Roberts are the best, with the conceit still fresh, but the last are unbelievable: where did all the fun go?
January 3, 2018
Anthony Lane
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Bob Roberts is a shrewdly drawn portrait of the unsettling intersection of entertainment, business, and politics.
August 25, 2017
Derek Smith
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This nose-thumbing mock documentary is so prescient, so astonishingly up-to-the-minute, it creates the eerie effect of having been ripped from tomorrow’s headlines.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
“Bob Roberts” is a bold and often hilarious movie that cares enough about politics to take actual stands on real issues.
September 15, 2020
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor
While he resists imitating or stealing from “Citizen Kane,” Robbins proves himself a filmmaker whose first film shows something of the genius and daring of the young Orson Welles.
September 15, 2020
Malcolm Johnson
Hartford Courant
A political horror story for teens and adults.
December 18, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Heather Boerner
Common Sense Media
November 4, 2007 | Rating: 4/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Robbins’s satire is savvy and complex enough to send mixed signals to the viewers about politics and pop culture; both Democrats and Republicans may find supporting evidence for their arguments in his picture.
April 29, 2006 | Rating: B
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Characteristically and welcomingly Tim Robbins
January 24, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Caffeinated Clint
Moviehole…
Plot
Documentary-style look at the fictional Senatorial campaign of Bob Roberts, an arch-conservative folk singer turned politician. This political satire includes several original songs co-written and performed by writer/director/star Tim Robbins, and cameo appearances by other stars as reporters and news anchors.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features a star-studded cast including Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Ray Wise, and Gore Vidal.
Tim-Robbins.jpg
