Bob Roberts

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Bob Roberts

R,

1992,

1h 42m,

Comedy/

Drama

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Watchlist

93%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

5,000+ Ratings

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

Sep 15, 2020

2.5/4

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.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Sep 15, 2020

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.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 8, 2018

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.

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Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

May 9, 2023

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

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David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

Sep 15, 2020

"Bob Roberts" is a bold and often hilarious movie that cares enough about politics to take actual stands on real issues.

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

Sep 15, 2020

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.

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Jan 27, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Anakin M

Aug 6, 2017

Bob Roberts is a decent film. It is about a right-wing folk singer who becomes a corrupt politician and runs a crooked election campaign. Tim Robbins and Alan Rickman give good performances. The script is a little slow in places. Tim Robbins did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the humor and drama.

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Hagrid M

Jun 25, 2017

Gets a bit too peachy at times, but overall the political commentary and satire play well (arguably even more so now than in '92).

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Ron M

Apr 28, 2017

A great political film that's just as relevant today as when it was made...

Albus W

Jan 21, 2017

Smart and witty, and a bit upsetting

Harry L

Sep 29, 2012

It is surprising to see in how many things this movie predicted some of the future strategies of Republicans. Narratively, well, the movie is interesting but not outstanding.

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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

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