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Head of State (2003)

 -  Comedy  -  28 March 2003 (USA)
5.2
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Ratings: 5.2/10 from 11,722 users   Metascore: 44/100
Reviews: 80 user | 69 critic | 32 from Metacritic.com

When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, Washington, D.C. alderman, Mays Gilliam is unexpectedly picked as his replacement.

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Title: Head of State (2003)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Kim
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Senator Bill Arnot
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Bernard Cooper
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Nikki
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Advisor
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Mr. Earl
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Himself
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Nate's Girl
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Storyline

Mays Gilliam, a Washington D.C. neighborhood Alderman, is about to be red-lined out of his job. But after the untimely death of the party frontrunner, Gilliam is plucked from obscurity, and thrust into the limelight as his party's nominee--for President of the United States. The players in Gilliam's life include: Mitch Gilliam, his unsophisticated older brother who becomes his running mate; Kim, his ex-girlfriend who had once dumped him, but who now has a sudden change of heart as she sees a chance at becoming First Lady; Martin Geller, his campaign manager; Lisa Clark, the woman who truly believes in Gilliam; and Debra Lassiter, the woman who doesn't have faith in his candidacy, and is serving as his reluctant advisor. Written by Sujit R. Varma

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The only thing white is the house.

Genres:

Comedy

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, some sexuality and drug references | See all certifications »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

28 March 2003 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Chef de l'état  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,503,484 (USA) (28 March 2003)

Gross:

$37,788,228 (USA) (6 June 2003)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The scream that was used after Chris Rock says, "Security," was actually done by Adam Sandler. See more »

Goofs

When Gilliam is running out of the exploding house with elderly Miss Pearl and her cat, he is holding a stuffed toy cat under his left arm. See more »

Quotes

Mays Gilliam: Are you seeing somebody else?
Kim: I'm seeing everybody else! I've met mosquitoes with more force than you!
See more »

Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, it lists many famous politicians, then in parenthesis it says "(Are not in this movie)". See more »

Connections

References Malcolm X (1992) See more »

Soundtracks

"A Woman Needs to Be Loved"
Written by Carl Davis, Willie Henderson & Floyd Smith
Performed by Tyrone Davis
Courtesy of Brunswick Records
See more »

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User Reviews

recycled formula
17 April 2003 | by (grand rapids, mi) – See all my reviews

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.


13 of 19 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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I enjoyed this movie..I laughed Jettor
i am surprised it didnt make into the bottom 250 of imdb.com martialka
Offensive GemmaST
Absolutely Terrible movie danieljludwig
Good Movie scoutwes2
bernie mac 's power slaps at the railway station!! cherryshukla
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