User Reviews

I thought it was really funny but they should have taken out some really stupid parts. Like in the begginning of the movie Chris Rock girlfriend was terribly annoying. Some of the dialouge Chris Rock said was supposed to be funny but it wasn't. Some of the programs the goverment ran were really stupid and they just put it in there to make it PG-13. Ex: Prostitutes. Anyway... Bad company was a lot better. Rent that instead.

The real, angry Chris Rock doesn't put in an appearance until the final moments of this political satire (directed and co-written by Rock) but it's not enough to rescue what has come before. Rock's fantasy of being the first African-American to achieve the White House (although he's initially set up to fail by spin doctors Dylan Baker and a surprisingly funny Lynn Whitfield) is somewhat toothless by Rock's own standards. The problem is his altered perception of himself as a film star (as opposed to the established HBO black equivalent of Dennis Miller): he phonily positions himself from the onset as cuddly, concerned for the constituents of the ward he's an alderman for and reasonably ignorant of national issues; he's finally allowed to become self-aware only when his older brother (the always welcome Bernie Mac) intercedes. You keep waiting for Rock to change but when he does, it's first into a playa that comes up with glib quips in response to standard questions. (With barely a mention of foreign policy, they seem a bit stale). Only in the final debate against his opponent (Nick Searcy) does he let loose with some honesty and only then do the jokes carry some weight. Rock, making his directorial debut, opts for the equivalent of a made-for-TV movie with a flat look, very mild gags (there are not nearly enough white fright jokes but there is a fundraiser that turns into a dance party with elderly WASPs doing the electric slide, and opening credits that state Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, George Bush and Hillary Clinton, among others, `are not in this movie') and very little interest in being taken seriously. Warren Beatty covered this turf far more handily in `Bulworth'. With Tamala Jones as his love interest, Robin Givens (cleverly cast as a gold digger) and, unfortunately, only a couple of bits from Tracy Morgan.

Back in the late 70's and through the early 80's, Richard Pryor made a string of formulaic type movies, the formula being a street-wise black man is unexpectedly placed in a position of great responsibility or privilege for which he is totally unprepared: (Silver Streak, Brewster's Millions, Critical Condition, Bustin Loose). Inevitably, the hero not only succeeds in his newfound role, but excels, all thanks to his streetwise background, which allowed him to confound the numerous white people in these movies who were either thick-headed or cruel mercenaries. This formula, not surprisingly, ran out of gas before Pryor's health started to go downhill, just like the Elvis movie formula did. It was all very unfortunate, because it repackaged Pryor, a true hardcore radical comedian into a middle of the road movie star palatable to a broad based audience. He never reclaimed what he had lost, and neither did Elvis. "Head of State" recycles the same Richard Pryor formula, only updating it to a hip-hop fed generation. Chris Rock plays the Richard Pryor -type character, a Washington DC alderman who catches the attention of Democratic party headquarters as an innovative replacement candidate for the nominee who dies in a plane crash only weeks before the general election. The overall effect is the same watered-down comedy that the RP movies left me with. The backroom cunning and maneuvering is all supposed to look very devious, and Chris Rock turns it all to his advantage, outsmarting the professional politicians at every turn.

The attempted humor in this movie left me cold and annoyed. There were joking references to the assassination of Malcolm X and JonBenet Ramsey that I guess were supposed to make me laugh. They didn't, and nothing, absolutely nothing, in this movie did. The slapping, punching, and assault & battery incidents are continuous and an assault on the senses. Someone has been watching a lot of 3 Stooges. Robin Givens plays a disgruntled ex-girlfriend of the candidate who is repeatedly victimized. In light of her experiences with Mike Tyson, this seems to hit a new low in bad taste. Rock speechifies in his presidential debate scene on the benefits of knocking children in the head when they misbehave, and receives a standing ovation. Not funny.

The problem with a watered-down movie is that it always hedges its bets, flip-flopping between earthy comedy and the serious tones. This movie, which actually has an interesting premise, would have been a lot better if it had gone way over the top, and not pandered to any sense of reality or decorum, like say for example, "Animal House." Put Chris Tucker or Ice-T in the candidate role, with no attempt to be loved by the audience. Bring the 'hood to the White House, and rename it the Black House. Load it with sex, drugs, rock & roll, and FUN!

I couldn't help but feel cynical about the Hollywood establishment's political vendetta associated with this movie. Chris Rock's opponent has an identifiable Texas twang, is personally venemous and slow-witted. Sound familiar? This same establishment will also back liberal governors and senators with expensive haircuts, but has never seriously gotten behind a black presidential candidate. I guess if you produce a movie about it instead of making it happen, that excuses you.

One candidate for the presidency dies in an accident a couple of weeks before the election. Meanwhile the alderman Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) becomes a hero when he rescues a woman and her cat from an old house that would blow up. However his fiancée Kim (Robin Givens) does not pay his bills and dumps him, and Gilliam loses everything including his fancy car. When Senator Bill Arnot (James Rebhorn) sees the news on television, he plots a scheme with the party advisors Martin Geller (Dylan Baker) and Debra Lassiter (Lynn Whitfield) to invite Mays to be the party nominee and lose the election for the other candidate, Vice- President Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy). Four years later, he would be the candidate and would have the chance of winning the election. Mays has a terrible beginning of campaign but when his older brother Mitch Gilliam (Bernie Mac) meets him in Chicago, he advises Mays to be himself. Will he have the chance to be the first African American President of the USA?

"Head of State" is a silly film that every now and then makes laugh. The uneven plot has memorable scenes, like the party with the guests dancing or when Mays tells that God should protect the whole world; but there are stupid scene, most of them with Mitch Gilliam in interviews. But in general, this film is satisfactory and entertains. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Um Pobretão na Casa Branca" ("A Pauper in the White House")

A film that feels remarkably aged and redundant after the 2008 US Presidential elections with the election of Barack Obama.

Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a conscientious and hard working Alderman in Washington DC. After saving a woman and her cat from a building that is about to explode. Mays is plucked from obscurity to be the replacement presidential candidate when the previous dies in a plane crash.

Of course he has been selected so he can put up a plucky fight and lose, so their can be a serious candidate four years later. His rival is the hot favourite to win the election. He is the current vice president, a war hero and a cousin to Sharon Stone.

The film is mildly amusing, silly but falls way off base as a political satire. The script feels half finished and half baked. At times you feel that you are watching a series of sketches than a movie.

I've always thought that Chris Rock is a genius when it comes to stand-up, but the movies he's played the leading role in, for some reason, haven't been that good. The jokes have been copied off his stand up routine and the script has be so so.

But this one is different. It was actually very funny. I had a good gutlaugh several times and the movie made a pretty good point, too.

Both Chris Rock and Bernie Mac did a good job in this one. If you like Chris Rock's and Bernie Mac's stand up, I'd advice you to watch this.

It's obvious that Chris Rock had intentions of making a movie that preaches to the American public of the wrongs and injustices that many middle to lower class people face. I am all for that, and from a political standpoint, the movie made some very good points. However, when I go to see a Chris Rock movie labeled COMEDY, I want to watch a movie that is funny, not a movie that rambles on and on about politics. If this movie wasn't supposed to be a comedy, it would be very good indeed. However, this movie is supposed to be comedy, and seeing how the few scenes with Bernie Mac are the only comedic parts of the movie, I am forced to give this movie a low score.

2 out of 10

It's just a silly, funny movie! Don't think too deeply or expect Oscar performances- just a bunch of laughs.

Chris Rock delivers some funny moments, both as writer and actor, as you would expect. But the direction is amateur hour - by turns, static and awkward. The narrative flow doesn't, and the few laughs are punctuated by inane gags and flat writing. Chris Rock is often funny and brilliant, but as this fails in its efforts to be satire and slapstick. The satire is unfocused and often misses its targets; the slapstick is clumsy and, worse, not funny. A misfire by a talent who seems in over his head on this one.

In this film, the Vice President, who's the front-runner candidate for office in a coming election, often dispenses with below campaign sound bite at whatever opportunity he gets:

"I have been the Vice President for 8 years. I am a war veteran. And I'm the cousin of Sharon Stone. God bless America...and no place else."

With lines like these, what's not to like about Head of State?

Here's the premise of the film. Both the the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of a "losing" party died when their planes crashed into each other (don't ask). With the election just weeks away, the party decided to intentionally look for a "loser" replacement candidate; one who will lose at a pegged percentage (not too much, not too little), and yet is capable of winning some "leverage" points for the next round of election. And they found Chris Rock. Enough said.

Pardon the cliché, but Head of State has to be seen to be believed. Hell, just its opening credits alone are LOL already. If you asked me, I would think this flick's mixed bag of humour (from no-holds barred low brow to smart insightful attacks on American electoral politics) worked only because it has been delivered the only way someone as comic-attuned as Chris Rock knew how. The business of making people laugh is a tough one. And IMO, Chris Rock is one of the best in the business.

Can you imagine a fluffier, more convoluted Bulworth crossed with the crude but often logical sensibilities of South Park - The movie? If yes, proceed to imagine lines hurled at you that's as zingy as a Kevin Smith vehicle (both the good and the really bad ones) and blatant slapstick's as throwaway LOL as those Airplane/ Naked Gun movies? Ladies and germs, if you can imagine all that, congrats! Because that is Head of State for you, nutshell cracked wide open. But whether you will swallow the nuts or not (I always chew first, then swallow), will depend largely on your threshold and expectation already.

We need not reminders that we all live in ludicrous times now, do we? So why not accord some of that time laughing at it all, relishing in the enjoyment of a film as ludicrously conceived as this one? Personally, I look upon Head of State as a brilliant political comedy. Its charm actually lies in its greater interest in comedy than politics. I am delighted to see this film juggle sly political wish fulfilment with the conscious play-it-up for laughs. Sometimes, strictly for laughs. So yes, I am won over and willingly lap this flick up.

Make no mistake, Head of State is a hit and miss movie. But its hits far exceed its misses. In fact, its hit rate is almost comparable to (and arguably higher than) the raunch-assisted Scary Movie. Its (sporadic) intelligence however, far surpasses the entire Waymon Bros output combined.

Hmm....its plain to see that the manic sinnerman love this movie. I have not been this entertained in very long time. Hence I shall willingly dispense you all this flick recommendation. If one pop this title into a player at any random night, I do think it will provide willing folks with an antidote release from the blues of a hellish school/work day prior. So people, go hunt for the Head of State now (pun unintended).

My word is out. God bless America....and no place else!

I was an extra in this movie and was excited to see how it turned out. While this is not Academy-award winning material, it made me laugh several times quite hard. One of the best jokes was in the opening credits. The one thing I wondered, how on earth did they get Robin Givens so harsh-looking? In person she is a petite, friendly, lovely sweetie-pie. I wonder if she knew what Chris Rock was doing to her? Bernie Mac stole the movie, and his part is quite small. There were several characters (the superwhore, the meatman) who were so underdeveloped you wondered what they were doing in the movie in the first place. The movie went by quickly with plenty of laughs. It was a fun evening during which one doesn't have to think too much.

I'm a big fan of Chris Rock's stand-up comedy, and also a Bernie Mac fan too, but there's nothing funny about this movie and it was a huge disappointment. I thought it would never end, a minute watching this seemed like forever. The storyline just didn't cut it either. Avoid this like the plague. . . . . 2/10.

Chris Rock has made an interesting name for himself. He's a black comedian who's been in almost 60 feature films; a writer and co-writer for movies and TV shows like Saturday Night Live; and is a man with strong political opinions. So, with all that talent and experience, you'd think that if he were to write and produce a political satire, it'd be a mix of biting comedy with a message.

If only that were the case with `Head of State.' Instead of biting satire poking fun at the political system, there's a collection of gag jokes that, in themselves are funny, but neither politically pertinent or satirical in any way. What's more the romantic-comedy subplot is way too prominent, elbowing out the main theme of the film.

Rock plays Mays Gilliam, a Washington, D.C. alderman, who's a man of the people. He not only does good things in his neighborhood, but even the drug dealers like him. When the existing democratic presidential candidates unexpectedly die, Gilliam finds himself selected by the party to replace them, all in the name of a politically ambitious underling who sets up Rock to lose in hopes of securing the nomination in the next election. Through a series of gags and mishaps, Gilliam not only gets elected, but gets the girl too.

The film certainly has the gags, many of which are genuinely funny. In fact, if it were all gags, a la `Airplane' and `The Naked Gun', then Rock's film would have been surprisingly refreshing. But, the humor was diluted by attempts at a serious side – both on the political front and the romantic front – and the script fails to know when one ends and the other begins. What's more, the serous or romantic sides to the film, gags notwithstanding, were just plain silly.

It's not that the formula doesn't work. It's been done many times before, such as `Dave', starring Kevin Klein, and Warren Beatty's `Bulworth'. In each case, the `candidate' was unlikely and over the edge, but their straight talk and unconventional approach to politics appealed to the people and resonated with movie audiences. In essence, using this theme as the platform for satirical poignancy was very effective (from an entertainment perspective, not necessarily as a valid social commentary). In the end, the reason these films worked is because it was clear where the gags end and the seriousness begins.

On a separate note with respect to today's current events, I couldn't help but notice that it's because of reality that this movie is actually more disturbing than it should be. In fact, it harkens back to the good old days of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Back then, people didn't take politics or world events seriously at all, as evidenced by the fact that we had actual, serious attempts at the presidency from people such as Donald Trump, Ross Perot, and yes, even Warren Beatty. You'd never see those names in mainstream press in today's environment. Perhaps `Head of State' should have been released during a time when society's perception of politics and the presidency wasn't so important. But today, it's just plain eerie and disturbing.

Head of State is a movie that should be way smarter and sharper than what it is. A movie premise about a black man running for President should be rife with possibilities. But Chris Rock took the lazy way out and made this movie a broad comedy how very disappointing. A lot of the characters feel like cartoon caricatures with the notable exception of Debra Lassiter played by Lynn Whitfield and Martin Geller played by Dylan Baker, respectively. Honestly, a lot of this film feels dated, and it reminds me of very unfunny SNL sketches from the early 2000s. But the movie does have some redeeming qualities, I particularly liked the moment where Chris Rock's character tells Dylan Baker's character you get to represent yourself and I have to represent my entire race. I thought this scene was very insightful and thought provoking. I kind of wish the entire movie was like this as opposed to being a broad comedy that panders to the lowest common denominator. But on the positive side, Chris Rock has some funny zingers, and he has some great chemistry with the lovely Tamala Jones. So you can say the movie isn't completely without social merit. And today in 2020, the film serves as an interesting time capsule of sorts. Head of State came out back in 2003, five years before Barack Obama got elected as President in 2008. So I guess sometimes life can intimate art and I use the term art loosely. Honestly, movies like Bulworth and Primary Colors handle race and politics way smarter and sharper than this film ever could. So I would recommend watching those films over Head of State. In conclusion, Head of State is a rather mediocre film that's ultimately forgettable.

I don't really like Chris Rock. I don't really like stand up comedians, and I thought Bad Company was pretty bad, so I wasn't first in line to see Head of State. I did see about 10 minutes of it in theaters (I walked into it after The Core-don't tell anyone), and I thought it was ok, nothing more. And that's what it basically is.

Rock plays Alderman Mays Gilliam, for whom nothing seems to go right. After the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidental election dies, the Democratic party is looking for just a regular person, because they know they can't win. Who else would they pick except for Mays? And what seems to be a hopeless race turns around becuase Mays knows what it's like to be a normal person in America. Of course, incumbent Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy) starts a smear campaign. Soon Mays's credibility is out the window. What is he to do?

All of the humor in Head of State really came and went. For many times, there were fifteen minute stretches of laughless space. And even in between those stretches, it wasn't that funny. There were a couple places that were hilarious, but only a few of them, so I won't spoil them. Thankfully, a lot of the humor wasn't all that racist, although some was just white people acting like black people, or misinterpreting slang. Some of it, though, was smart political humor, and I'm thankful that it had some merit to it, and was just not another movie like Bringing Down the House, where, although it was funny, all of the humor was dirty and racist.

Along the way of the campaign, Mays realizes that he needs a vice president. So who else does he choose but his brother (Bernie Mac)? Although heavily advertised for Mac, he's not in it much, and he isn't really that funny. He's a mediocre comedian, making a mediocre turn in a mediocre movie.

My rating: 6/10

Rated PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug references.

Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is running for Alderman in Washington, D.C. He's the fixer for the local community and becomes a minor hero on local TV. His girlfriend Kim dumps him for not pushing ahead of others and getting the money. When the Presidential candidate dies, the party picks him to take over. Everybody expects him to lose against sitting VP Brian Lewis especially Senator Bill Arnot who wants to run in the next election. In the meanwhile, he can excite the minority base and lose badly.

As a satire, it is not sharp enough to be biting. Much of it boils down to Chris Rock not being a good director. Some of the jabs do hit the mark but far too often, he's flailing away. Chris has his charms which is able to drive the campaign bus but it's not quite enough to make this work.

Is it a masterpiece? Of course not. The appeal of this movie is pretty simple, it makes you smile,

Something about Chris Rock's voice gives me a headache. He does the same old White ppl are geeks who cant dance jokes and sure they were funny the first time but this is like the fourth movie in a row with the same old bs. The story is lame. Only reason I watched this movie was because Bearnie Mac, problem is he has a rly small part. I left 15 minutes before the movie ended. This crap gets 1 out of 10.

Chris Rock, long time stand-up comedian, makes his directorial debut in `Head Of State.' This film was surprisingly impressive. Although it is predictable and not completely original, it is inspired. Rock brings along a comical sense that is all his own and makes `Head Of State' a winner. Besides the humor of Rock, Bernie Mac also stars as Rock's brother. Mac (`Ocean's Eleven') is hilarious in the role and with the likes of these two comedians, it ultimately leads `Head Of State' to be a better comedy than the other two major comedy releases of late: `Bringing Down The House,' and `Anger Management.' Rock stars as Mays Gilliam, an alderman in Washington D.C. area, who is chosen to run for President after the official candidate is killed in an accident. Gilliam brings along his own sense of reality in his campaign addressing issues such as violence, Medicare, and taxes by pawning the quote, `this s*** ain't right!' But when scandals arise, Gilliam has to find a way to let the truth be known about his past and ultimately get him elected to the highest position in the country. This is the most fun film that has been released in a long while. Although some of the jokes lack originality, one can't help but laugh out loud at its outlandish humor. One scene in particular was hysterical in which Gilliam attends a social party to raise money for his campaign. Gilliam breaks out the song `Hot In Herre' and gets even the most prim and proper of Washington's elite to dance to it. The scenes with Mac would make just about anyone snicker. My favorite parts of the film occurred when Mac goes on political talk shows to promote his brother's campaign. He's asked about what he thinks of N.A.F.T.A. and his response is, `Yeah, Nafta's a good guy.' He has no idea of what the organization is and leaves the host dumbfounded. Not to mention the funny way in which Rock and Mac greet each other-a good slug in the gut.

Dylan Baker (`Fried Green Tomatoes,' `Cast Away') plays the other Presidential candidate, Martin Geller, who is also the current Vice President. Baker is quite comical as an arrogant candidate whose favorite line to feed to the mob is `God Bless America, and no else.'

Rock did have some obvious technical difficulties in the filming of `Head Of State.' For example, in at least two scenes, the boom, or microphone could be seen at the top of the screen. I would normally cringe at such an editing mishap. However, this was film light-hearted and droll enough that I'm willing to let it go. Overall, `Head Of State' is a likable comedy that gets my vote. ***

White people acting like idiots as soon as Chris Rock throws on a little Nelly at a fundraiser, behaving like wiggers, having large glasses and so on.

Black people acting like fools basically all the time, being stereotypical village idiots with no wits at all.

stereotypes that really does not help to sooth racial tension in any way, quite the contrary actually.

I gave it a three, if it wasn't for Bernie Mac I would have given it a one.

Awful!

I can't believe I never knew Chris Rock wrote, directed and starred in this movie. When I watched years ago I wasn't as huge of a movie buff like I am nowadays although I was 11 when this released. Might not be appreciated much but I love it, quite enjoyable political comedy that is refreshing enlightenment!

You don't get any points for guessing the ending of Head of State. This is a very predictable comedy. It is also a very funny one. It is nice to see a comedy that is not a contrived romantic comedy or a gross out comedy. This is a very funny satire of our political system that is also smart. Chris Rock as star, director, and writer has put together a political fantasy in the spirit of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Dave. Head of State isn't as good as either of these movies, but it has its charm. In the times we are living in, it is great we have a movie that can make us smile for two hours.

The man directed it and plays the main character. If someone has two jobs he usually isn't good in either. And this sure is true for Chris Rock... The music was lousy, the jokes were boring, the characters were wooden, the meat was rotten,

and even the super who wasn't that super

I can't think of one reason to watch this movie, the best use for the dvd is as a beermat.