Bob Roberts (1992)

A conservative folk singer turns his hand to politics, running for the US Senate. He is not above dirty tricks and smear campaigns to gain an advantage over his opponent.

Director:

Tim Robbins

Writer:

Tim Robbins

Stars:

Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Alan Rickman

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Robbins	...	Bob Roberts
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Bugs Raplin
Alan Rickman	...	Lukas Hart III
Ray Wise	...	Chet MacGregor
Brian Murray	...	Terry Manchester
Gore Vidal	...	Senator Brickley Paiste
Rebecca Jenkins	...	Delores Perrigrew
Harry Lennix	...	Franklin Dockett
John Ottavino	...	Clark Anderson
Robert Stanton	...	Bart Macklerooney
Kelly Willis	...	Clarissa Flan
Merrilee Dale	...	Polly Roberts
Tom Atkins	...	Dr. Caleb Menck
David Strathairn	...	Mack Laflin
James Spader	...	Chuck Marlin

Storyline

Documentary-style look at the fictional Senatorial campaign of Bob Roberts, an arch-conservative folk singer turned politician. This political satire includes several original songs co-written and performed by writer/director/star Tim Robbins, and cameo appearances by other stars as reporters and news anchors.

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Plot Keywords:

political satire | election campaign | satire | mockumentary | fake documentary | 

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Taglines:

Coming to a Senate seat near you.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for momentary language

Did You Know?

Trivia

All the songs were written by Tim Robbins and David Robbins, his brother. Tim Robbins not only sings in the film, but he also plays the harmonica. Jack Black sings background vocals on the soundtrack.

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Goofs

In a scene where Bob gets off the bus in "Harrisburg" a police barrier clearly says "City of Philadelphia."

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Quotes

Bugs Raplin: The reason that Iran-Contra happened is because nobody did anything substantial about Watergate. And the reason that Watergate happened is that there were no consequences from the Bay of Pigs. They are all the same operatives, didn't you notice? The foot soldiers in the Bay of Pigs, the plumbers that got busted at Watergate, the gunrunners in Iran contra: they are all the same people. The same faces. Now it doesn't take a genius to make the connection here. A secret government beyond the ...

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the credits there is the screen-filling four-letter word 'VOTE'.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #22.98 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Beautiful Girl
Music and Lyrics by David Robbins & Tim Robbins
Produced and Arranged by David Robbins
Horns Arranged by David Campbell
Robbins Egg Music (c) 1992, A.S.C.A.P.

User Reviews

Why is this movie so offensive?

I didn't understand why Republicans were so offended by this movie. Bob Roberts's political affiliation had nothing to do with his dirty campaign tricks. Bob Roberts could just as easily have been a Democrat. This film is not mocking Republican dishonesty, but political dishonesty. Tim Robbins does a great job as an evil, hypocritical folk singer / politician, and there is a very good supporting cast. Not laugh-out-loud funny, but bitingly satirical and creepy.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bob Roberts

Filming Locations:

Eisenhower Auditorium, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$314,275, 7 September 1992

Gross USA:

$4,479,470

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,479,470

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Live Entertainment, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1