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The Man

Play trailer Poster for The Man PG-13 Released Sep 9, 2005 1h 23m Comedy Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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12% Tomatometer 100 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Seeking the gunrunners who killed his partner, undercover cop Derrick Vann (Samuel L. Jackson) sets up a sting. He arranges to meet an arms dealer at a diner, where he'll be the only one reading USA Today. But dentist Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy), who's in Detroit for a conference, is there reading the same paper, and the dealer mistakes him for Vann and sets up the deal. When Vann realizes this, he drags the baffled Andy into the operation, forcing him to pose as the fake buyer.
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Critics Consensus

Despite the steely presence of Samuel L. Jackson and the comic timing of Eugene Levy, The Man's plot is pointless and its jokes rehashed, as it ends up playing out like the Odd Couple with gas.

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Critics Reviews

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Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle It's not dreadful, but the movie is executed with total indifference, as if its creators are working from a checklist. Rated: 1.5/5 Sep 18, 2005 Full Review Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper So tired. Sep 12, 2005 Full Review Paul Schrodt Slant Magazine Like the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Showtime and Taxi seemingly haunt every shot of Les Mayfield's shrill white cop/black cop buddy movie. Rated: .5/4 Sep 12, 2005 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News The pairing had potential to be quite funny, but unfortunately they are stuck with a script that feels like its been on the shelf since the mid-'80's. Rated: D Nov 19, 2019 Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope While Fiddler is a bumbler, he is not stupid, and actually makes a few good decisions. Vann is clever dealing with criminals, but he has some emotional shortcomings. They are an interesting pair, and in this genre, that is what really counts. Rated: C+ Apr 6, 2016 Full Review Kam Williams Princeton Town Topics A derivative, readily-forgettable insult to the intelligence! Rated: 0/4 May 25, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert M "The Man" is an absolute riot, a truly underrated comedic gem that deserves far more recognition than it typically receives. From start to finish, this film delivers genuine belly laughs thanks to its ingenious premise and, most importantly, the stellar performances of its leads. Eugene Levy, in particular, is a masterclass in comedic timing and character embodiment. He flawlessly portrays Andy Fiddler, the perpetually flustered dental supply salesman who finds himself inadvertently tangled in a dangerous criminal underworld. Levy's signature brand of endearing awkwardness and escalating panic is on full display, creating a character that is both hilariously out of his depth and surprisingly resourceful. His every reaction, from wide-eyed disbelief to desperate attempts at blending in, is perfectly calibrated for maximum comedic effect. And then there's Samuel L. Jackson, who, as Derrick Vann, brings his unparalleled gravitas and intensity to the role of the seasoned, no-nonsense ATF agent. Jackson's deadpan delivery and simmering frustration with Levy's character are a constant source of amusement. He navigates the absurdity of the situation with a straight face, making Levy's comedic antics even more pronounced. The dynamic between these two is pure gold – the unflappable, intimidating lawman paired with the bumbling, accidental civilian. It's a classic odd-couple pairing executed with exceptional finesse. Their back-and-forth banter is sharp, witty, and often escalates into uproarious confrontations. The script smartly plays to both actors' strengths, allowing Levy to shine in his physical comedy and verbal fumbles, while Jackson maintains his cool, authoritative presence even amidst the most chaotic situations. "The Man" is a delightful surprise, offering a refreshing take on the buddy-cop genre with a consistent stream of well-earned laughs. It's a testament to the power of excellent comedic performances and a genuinely funny script. If you're looking for a film that will leave you smiling long after the credits roll, this is definitely one to seek out. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 23 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Rude Dialogue, Language and Some Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $8,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review alan g Waste of time. The last good movie levy was in was Splash. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/08/25 Full Review Kyle M Can a bad film be taken as an intentional joke with frivolity? The story's agreeably pointless, especially considering its inferior craftsmanship by the involved crew, but its decent highlight is the comedic dynamic solely between Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy. (C) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Victor P The Man feels like a Midnight Run rehash, but I enjoyed the chemistry between Eugene Levy and Samuel L. Jackson were funny together. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/24 Full Review Liam F I only recently discovered this movie on Tubi. For myself it had many authentic laugh out loud moments. I am a big fan of both Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy. This movie plays to the strengths of each actor. I felt they really worked well together. I really enjoy movies that I consider "fun" and The Man certainly fits that criteria for me! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Man

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Movie Info

Synopsis Seeking the gunrunners who killed his partner, undercover cop Derrick Vann (Samuel L. Jackson) sets up a sting. He arranges to meet an arms dealer at a diner, where he'll be the only one reading USA Today. But dentist Andy Fiddler (Eugene Levy), who's in Detroit for a conference, is there reading the same paper, and the dealer mistakes him for Vann and sets up the deal. When Vann realizes this, he drags the baffled Andy into the operation, forcing him to pose as the fake buyer.
Director
Les Mayfield
Producer
Robert N. Fried
Screenwriter
Margaret Oberman, Jim Piddock, Stephen Carpenter
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
Fried Films
Rating
PG-13 (Rude Dialogue|Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 9, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 23, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.3M
Runtime
1h 23m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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