Head of State

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Head of State

PG-13,

2003,

1h 35m,

Comedy

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29%

120 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

A low-level Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mostly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.

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Critics Consensus

Head of State squanders its potentially ripe premise with watered-down satire and formulaic gags.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 24, 2010

3/5

Chris Rock runs for president.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Jun 19, 2003

1.5/4

But in his acting pursuits, Rock just doesn't do well. He's stiff and uncomfortable on camera, especially when it comes to romantic or emotional scenes.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Apr 10, 2003

2/4

A missed opportunity.

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Armond White

National Review

Nov 4, 2024

Although Head of State purports to be wild comedy, it falls short of actual satire. Seen today, it looks like wish fulfillment in retrospect.

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Nov 15, 2019

C+

The film is much like the wannabe candidate foiled by the primaries. You can't help but think what could have been, if only the movie had gotten off on the right foot.

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Apr 1, 2014

Rock is a man who continues to perpetuate stereotypes for the price of "comedy" and continues making one terrible film after the other.

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Anakin R

Nov 29, 2017

There was not thing plausible that existed in this movie. - The current VP and GOP Presidential Candidate's argument for his presidency: I'm Sharon Stone's cousin!!!! - Chris Rock as the Democratic Candidate: You're full of shit, VP!!! This sounds like the 2016 Presidential Election but not so much. Racism helped the more vulgar candidate win while racism would cost a black man his chance at the presidency if he screamed any form of vulgarity. How could Roger Ebert have given this film 3 stars out of 4? Now you know why I don't care for him the same way I never cared for this film?

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Albus W

Feb 13, 2010

Terrible! It's not funny and will bore you. (First and only viewing - In my early twenties)

Hagrid S

Sep 25, 2007

10/2/2017 (2): Meh. A few funny lines, but that was it. Very forgettable.

Luke M

Sep 12, 2007

Mays Gilliam did not attend this years rally against cancer! Is Mays Gilliam for or against Cancer?

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Chris Rock

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Chris Rock

Mays Gilliam

Bernie Mac

Mitch Gilliam

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Martin Geller

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Synopsis

A low-level Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mostly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.

Director: Chris Rock
Producer: Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi, Michael Rotenberg
Screenwriter: Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, 3 Arts Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug References|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.8M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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