Product Details

• Actors: John Badila, Dylan Baker, Jude Ciccolella, Keith David, Nate Dogg
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Dreamworks Video
• DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005JM4N
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,524 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Chris Rock writes, directs, and stars in the sassy political comedy Head of State, about Mays Gilliam, a black man who's chosen by the leaders of an unspecificed party to run for president after their previous candidates die in a plan crash. Though he initially follows his handler's instructions, Gilliam soon starts handling speeches in his own brazen, outspoken way, which starts to turn the tide--which upsets the party leaders who chose him, since they expected him to lose. While Head of State doesn't quite have the razor wit that Rock wields in his stand-up routine, it has a sharper edge than just about any other political satire in recent memory. Rock bursts with charisma, and his supporting cast (including Lynn Whitfield, Dylan Baker, Robin Givens, and especially Bernie Mac as Gilliam's brother and running mate) provide solid comic support. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description
WHEN A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS NEEDED JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION, WASHINGTON PICKS MAYS GRAHAM, A POWERLESS POLITICIAN THEY PLAN TO USE AS THEIR PUPPET, CERTAIN HE WILL LOSE. BUT MAYS WON'T GO OUT LIKE THAT! IF HE'S GOING TO RUN, HE'S GOING TO HAVE FUN!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant political satire, December 12, 2004

By	David Reese (Boston) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

At the outset, let me say what I am: I am white, 61 years old, a physician, and I live in a gated community. It would be easy for people like me to dismiss "Head of State" as just another crass commercial rip-off by Hollywood. It's not that at all.

The premise underlying "Head of State" is that Americans are currently represented by a government totally out of touch with the lives of ordinary citizens. That's why this film can be so hilarious, why it strikes such a responsive chord.

"Head of State" is more than just another comedy, more than just a parody of our political process. It is brilliant political satire, studded with remarkable insights into the political process. Yes, I laughed all the way through the film. But if Mays Gilliam ever comes to real life in America, I won't be laughing at him. I'll be voting for him. And so will the country.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Rocks the Votes. in this clever, Intelligent underrated movie., December 12, 2005

By	SHAWN JAMES "Amateur Film critic" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Chris Rock does an excellent job writing directing and co-producing Head of State. It's a hilarious comedy with a lot of heart and a lot of soul. Well-written, intelligent and extremely clever, Rock's comedy stays true to its African-American roots while making commentary about the sad state of the current political process in America. Perhaps in his own way Rock is trying to send a message to politicians to express real ideas, speak from the heart.
In Head Of State Chris Rock plays a struggling Washington D.C. Alderman who gets no respect. Constituents don't appreciate the aspiring politician, and his girlfriend (Robin Givens) dumps him leaving him with unpaid bills and a repossessed car. The next day his boss (Keith David) fires him. He thinks things are turning around when the Democratic Party recruits him to run for President. The jokes on him; the Democratic party knows it can't win against the popular two-term Republican vice president in 2004, so they decide to trot out Rock's character as a filler candidate until the 2008 election. They don't believe a black candidate has a chance, but the alderman believes in himself.
The campaign is dull until a pep talk from his brother (Bernie Mac) at a Chicago campaign stop. Soon Chris changes campaign tactics and decides to be real. The more he's true to his Black self the more his poll numbers start to go up. This is when the movie really takes off. When Rock's Alderman starts saying what he feels instead of what he's rehearsed, the campaign starts to come to life. All of a sudden this underdog has a chance. All of a suddent the woman who dumped him wants him back, but the candidate has his eyes on a hardworking gas station worker (Tamala Jones)
As the alderman's polls numbers start to go up, the incumbent candidate starts to worry about the underdog, Rock's campaign manager's worry about controlling him. But he still believes in himself. He hits a snag after a school shooting, but with the help of his brother decides to challenge the incumbent to a debate. Things come to a head when the two candidates debate. Rock's character is full of energy and new ideas, and he eventually goes on to embarrass the uninspired jargon-spouting incumbent. In the end he wins the presidency becoming the head of State, and gets the girl who works at the gas station.
I really enjoyed this movie; I feel guilty about missing this one in theatres because this movie made me laugh and smile so much in two hours. I got give Chris Rock props for creating a film with a positive message and writing black characters in this movie that are intelligent and hardworking. In this "Gangsta" era it's rare to see a movie focusing on regular working class black folks. More props to Chris for making a movie with quality production values. A lot of black filmmakers don't take time to focus on crucial details like cinematography, casting and editing. Paying attention to those often ignored film elements transforms Head of State from a good screenplay into a great movie.
Besides Rock's hilarious and intelligent portrayal of the presidential candidate underdog, there are some great performances here from the supporting cast. Rock writes well-developed characters for all his cast, not just himself. Bernie Mac steals the few scenes he's in and has great chemistry with Rock; they feel like brothers. Robin Givens is hilarious as the gold-digging ex in her pitiful attempts to win back her man. Givens has the best performance of her career; I never thought she could be so funny. Lynn Whitfield literally disappears from the screen and becomes the campaign manger. She must have channeled Condelezza Rice for this performance. This woman is extremely underrated; she needs to be the lead in more films! (Cough*Halle Berry's upcoming Nefertiri* Cough) Tamala Jones is sweet as the love interest.
Head of State is a Shawn James five star essential video. Pick this one up along with Eddie Murphy's The Distinguished Gentleman, CB4, and The Great White Hype for your black cinema night. While you're at it, pick up Diary of A Mad Black Woman and How U Like Me Now.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a great movie...nothin' more nothin' less, July 17, 2005

By	Mrs. Eileen J. Hacker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Head of State (Full Screen Edition) (DVD)

head of state is a great movie,the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars was because i always think that's pushing it.

i picked this dvd up,because i couldn't see anything else and this had 2 great comedians(chris rock and bernie mac) it turned out to be a great choise

head of state is about mays gilliam,a normal man,who gets the oppertunity to run for president. the thing he doesn't know is that he is set up to lose.this makes it a great comedy with many LOL(Laugh Out Loud) moments

this film has some of the GREATEST comedy speeches of all time and fantastic one liners

a fantastic movie!