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Bob Roberts

Play trailer Poster for Bob Roberts R 1992 1h 42m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Millionaire conservative Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins) launches an insurgent campaign against incumbent senator Brickley Paiste (Gore Vidal), firing up crowds at his rallies by singing '60s-style acoustic folk songs with lyrics espousing far-right conservative social and economic views. Investigative journalist Bugs Raplin (Giancarlo Esposito) shadows the Roberts campaign, trying to connect Roberts to a drug-trafficking scheme, but an assassination attempt lays suspicion on both men.
Bob Roberts

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Critics Consensus

Behind and in front of the camera, Tim Robbins delivers a landslide comedic victory with Bob Roberts -- a shrewdly crackling lampoon of modern politics.

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Critics Reviews

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Clifford Terry Chicago Tribune 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. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 15, 2020 Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times 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. Sep 15, 2020 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 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. Feb 8, 2018 Full Review Steve Warren Southern Voice (Atlanta) It's entertaining, but a lot like watching CNN for two hours. May 9, 2023 Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor "Bob Roberts" is a bold and often hilarious movie that cares enough about politics to take actual stands on real issues. Sep 15, 2020 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant 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. Sep 15, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shioka O It's hilarious and still relevant. watched in 2022. Similar to Wag the Dog. Done by Tim Robbins himself, satiric direction maybe influenced by Altman. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/07/22 Full Review dave s Tim Robbins wrote, directed and starred in the caustic satire Bob Roberts, a mocumentary that is unapologetic in its attack on right-wing, conservative politics in the United States. Roberts is a Republican politician running for a seat in the U.S. Senate, a Dylan-like character who relates his ideology through folk music and a populist doctrine. Lacking any sense of subtlety, which is undoubtedly deliberate, the film is clearly an attack on Republicans and anyone who supports them. Robbins is great in the lead role, the supporting cast is expansive and impressive, the writing is wickedly sharp, the songs are fantastic, and the final ten minutes are absolutely brilliant. Clearly made for an audience that leans to the left, Bob Roberts will appeal to any filmgoer who can check his or her political colors at the door. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie seems more relevant now today than ever . You have a fun free thinking guy who loves his country going into politics as an outsider and instantly becoming hated by all the life long politicians . And he’s conservative and happens to offend all liberals . Hmmmmmm...... awfully familiar 3.4 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/21 Full Review steve d Entertaining but not not as deep as it thinks. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Wonderful satire, great music. Very progressive. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Everyone should see Tim Robbins' viciously intelligent and scandalously forgotten political satire. He wrote, directed, starred - but it's very much an ensemble triumph - with great cameos from Ray Wise, Alan Rickman, Gore Vidal and a host of others, and deliberate nods to Spinal Tap, Robert Altman (particularly Nashville) and movies like The Manchurian Candidate. Very funny, scarily prescient, essential viewing. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Tim Robbins

Director

Tim Robbins

Bob Roberts

Giancarlo Esposito

Bugs Raplin

Ray Wise

Chet MacGregor

Brian Murray

Terry Manchester

Gore Vidal

Senator Brickley Paiste

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Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts (1992) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Millionaire conservative Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins) launches an insurgent campaign against incumbent senator Brickley Paiste (Gore Vidal), firing up crowds at his rallies by singing '60s-style acoustic folk songs with lyrics espousing far-right conservative social and economic views. Investigative journalist Bugs Raplin (Giancarlo Esposito) shadows the Roberts campaign, trying to connect Roberts to a drug-trafficking scheme, but an assassination attempt lays suspicion on both men.
Director
Tim Robbins
Producer
Forrest Murray
Screenwriter
Tim Robbins
Distributor
Pioneer Entertainment, Pathé Contemporary Films, Live Video, Paramount Pictures, Artisan Entertainment
Production Co
Miramax Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Live Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 4, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.5M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Dolby, Surround