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IMDbPro

Head of State

  • 20032003
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
20K
YOUR RATING
Chris Rock in Head of State (2003)
Pre, "Coming Soon"
Play trailer2:31
2 Videos
55 Photos
  • Comedy
When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, Washington, D.C. alderman Mays Gilliam is unexpectedly picked as his replacement.When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, Washington, D.C. alderman Mays Gilliam is unexpectedly picked as his replacement.When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, Washington, D.C. alderman Mays Gilliam is unexpectedly picked as his replacement.
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
20K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chris Rock
  • Writers
    • Chris Rock
    • Ali LeRoi
  • Stars
    • Chris Rock
    • Bernie Mac
    • Lynn Whitfield
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chris Rock
  • Writers
    • Chris Rock
    • Ali LeRoi
  • Stars
    • Chris Rock
    • Bernie Mac
    • Lynn Whitfield
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 92User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 nominations

    Videos2

    Head of State
    Trailer 2:31
    Head of State
    Head of State
    Trailer 0:31
    Head of State

    Photos55

    Chris Rock and Bernie Mac in Head of State (2003)
    Lynn Whitfield in Head of State (2003)
    Dylan Baker in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock and Jude Ciccolella in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock and Robin Givens in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock, Lynn Whitfield, and Jude Ciccolella in Head of State (2003)
    Chris Rock in Head of State (2003)
    James Rebhorn in Head of State (2003)
    Nick Searcy in Head of State (2003)
    Nate Dogg in Head of State (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chris Rock
    Chris Rock
    • Mays Gilliam
    Bernie Mac
    Bernie Mac
    • Mitch Gilliam
    Lynn Whitfield
    Lynn Whitfield
    • Debra Lassiter
    Dylan Baker
    Dylan Baker
    • Martin Geller
    Nick Searcy
    Nick Searcy
    • Brian Lewis
    Robin Givens
    Robin Givens
    • Kim
    Tamala Jones
    Tamala Jones
    • Lisa Clark
    James Rebhorn
    James Rebhorn
    • Senator Bill Arnot
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Bernard Cooper
    Tracy Morgan
    Tracy Morgan
    • Meat Man
    Stephanie March
    Stephanie March
    • Nikki
    Robert Stanton
    Robert Stanton
    • Advisor
    Jude Ciccolella
    Jude Ciccolella
    • Mr. Earl
    Nate Dogg
    Nate Dogg
    • Self
    Angie Mattson
    Angie Mattson
    • Nate's Girl
    Elizabeth J. Carlisle
    Elizabeth J. Carlisle
    • Nate's Girl
    • (as Elizabeth Johnson)
    Kirk Penberthy
    • Gaines
    John Badila
    • General Olson James
    • Director
      • Chris Rock
    • Writers
      • Chris Rock
      • Ali LeRoi
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Adam Sandler: the scream that was used after Mays Gilliam says, "Security!"
    • Goofs
      When Mays is wrestling, we see a sign that says "Mays for Pres" being held up in the crowd. In the next few shots, the same sign is upside down.
    • Quotes

      Brian Lewis: God bless America. And no place else.

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits, it lists many famous politicians, then in parenthesis it says "(Are not in this movie)".
    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of Head of State (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Head of State Theme
      "What They Think of You"

      Written by Nate Dogg & David Blake

      Performed by Nate Dogg

      Produced by DJ Quik

      Nate Dogg appears courtesy of Nate Dogg, Inc./Love & Happiness Productions & Elektra Entertainment Group

    User reviews92

    Review
    Top review
    Chris Rock could -- and *should* -- do much better
    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.
    helpful•9
    4
    • argv
    • Jul 30, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 28, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Глава держави
    • Filming locations
      • Annapolis, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • 3 Arts Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,125,247
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,503,484
      • Mar 30, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,620,484
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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