Bob Roberts

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Bob Roberts

R

Released Sep 4, 1992

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

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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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

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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

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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

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Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

It's entertaining, but a lot like watching CNN for two hours.

May 9, 2023

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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

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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

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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

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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

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steve d

Entertaining but not not as deep as it thinks.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Wonderful satire, great music. Very progressive.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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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

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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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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