"Head of State" stars Rock as Mays Gilliam, a DC alderman responsible for one of the poorest areas of the city. When the frontrunners in the current presidential race are killed when their planes crash into each other, Mays is picked to run for office. They think he can't win, but the party thinks they'll look good for him trying. For a while, he goes along with the lines from his aides (Dylan Baker, Lynn Whitfield), but when his brother Mitch (Bernie Mac) enters the picture, he sets him straight. Soon enough, Mays is speaking his mind, running with the motto "That Ain't Right!" (his opposition is running with, "God Bless America, and no place else!"). When nobody will run with him, Mays takes Mitch.

There are funny bits here large and small, but they come through inconsistently. I liked the Jay-Z song playing on the radio throughout many scenes (complete with "and now back to the Jay-Z song, already in progress"). The movie's opening credits go through a list of politicians, before telling us that "...and none of these people are in the movie." Some of the film's various campaign ads are silly and amusing. The joke of how Mays turns his campaign into something resembling a rap tour (his bus reads "MG2K4") worked, too.

Oh, but the problems. As sharp and funny as the couple of speeches that Mays has about the problems of the country are, I don't think I ever heard the character come up with something inventive or inspired as to how to handle any of those problems (well, that's not entirely true - in the last speech of the film Mayes urges parents to "knock your kids out, it's good for them!"). For some reason, the film has been turned in with a PG-13. For anyone who's ever seen Rock's stand-up act, you'll know that the man needs to curse. It's just part of his timing. Taking out all but a couple of four-letter words makes the film lack edge and feel somewhat bland.

Bernie Mac is underused in the film, too. Although his bit of slapping nearly everyone he meets started to get tiresome, there's a stretch with him answering questions on political talk shows later in the film that's utterly hilarious. The romantic subplot with Tamala Jones is rather tacked on, and some of the other bits in the film (the government has trained a group of "super whores" to take care of the politician’s needs, as to avoid sex scandals; he calls "security" every time his stalking ex-girlfriend (Robin Givens) appears) just don't work.

The look of the film is just about the most serious issue, though. While reportedly not cheap, the film still looks that way - under-lit, blandly filmed and edited with little rhythm (the movie sometimes seems less edited than "thrown together"), the movie has less of a visual style than most sitcoms do. Many of the film's crowd scenes (aside from one where people in suburbia run from their homes screaming) look obviously under-populated. The middle of the film, even at 95 minutes, starts to drag a bit.

Still, the movie presents itself with enough energy and enough awareness of what it is and what it isn't that it makes for decent viewing, even if those who are fans of the actor will be constantly reminded how the film could have been something considerably better. Those interested but not too sure, should check it out as a rental first.

IT HAS ITS MOMENTS...
Review date: 2003-12-01 Rating: 6 out of 10

This political comedy/satire was directed by, produced by, and co-written by Chris Rock. Quite frankly, while some of it was funny, it was funny-stupid, not funny-sharp or funny-edgy. Even fans of Chris Rock will be a little disappointed, as this supremely talented comedian has yet to find his mark in films. Despite some funny moments, the film fails to deliver fully on its promise.

The premise of the film is simple. A low level, grass roots, Washington D.C. politician, Alderman Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), gets an opportunity of a lifetime, when the two presidential aspirants of an unspecified political party each get killed in plane crashes. Chosen for his high potential to lose the election, thereby setting the stage for another politician to win in a future election, Mays Gilliam at first follows the directives scripted by his campaign handlers, Debra Lassiter (Lynn Whitfield) and Martin Geller (Dylan Baker).

Dissatisfied, however, with his new image and with his campaign's lack of message, Mays Gilliam decides to let his hair down and be himself. Moreover, since no other politician wishes to associate him or her self with Mays Gilliam and run as his vice-president, Mays selects his bail bondsman brother, Mitch (Bernie Mac), to be his running mate. Despite a commanding lead for the presidency by incumbent vice-president Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), Mays Gilliam starts giving him a run for his money, giving future political hopeful and mastermind, Senator Bill Arnot (James Rebhorn), a bad feeling.

Of course, there is a love interest in the film. Lisa Clark is lovely as the cute-as-a-button Tamala Jones, the down to earth, hard working store clerk who loves Mays for himself. There is also a former girl-friend, the beautiful Kim (Robin Givens), who keeps coming after Mays in hopes of becoming first lady. She is sort of a funny, running gag throughout the film. Then there is the gorgeous Nikki (Stephanie March), who is part of a cadre of super whores on staff to keep the sexual peccadilloes of politicians in-house.

Unfortunately, not even the considerable talents of the gifted supporting cast can turn dross into gold. While the film does have its funny moments, they are almost all of the funny-stupid variety, locking into the lowest common denominator. The funniest moments occur when Nick Searcy, Robin Givens, or Stephani March are on screen. The least funny moments are when Mays and Mitch punch each other in greeting, a running gag that is simply not funny. Bernie Mac has his funny moments in the film, but they are few and far between. This gifted comedian deserves better, as does Tracy Morgan, who has the thankless role of Meat Man, another running gag that fails to inspire many laughs. Chris Rock also gets his share of laughs but is ultimately done in by his own script.

As comedy, this film has its moments. As political satire, it loses sight of the prize. Despite its stellar supporting cast, the film misses the mark. A lightweight script and heavy handed direction by Chris Rock himself do nothing to help this venture. The film provides some laughs but not as many as one would expect. Chris Rock is a most talented comedian, sharp and edgy. I only hope that he will find the right vehicle in which to showcase his considerable talents. This is not the one. Rent this moderately enjoyable comedy rather than buy it.

Chris Rock isn't Half bad in this 1.
Review date: 2003-11-10 Rating: 8 out of 10

The review is this, Average American black man Mays Gillian(Chris
Rock) is picked by a team of goverment officials to run for President. He is supposed to be the only other candidate besides
a white popular bigot who's cousin is Sharon Stone? Though
this may seem weird, he's supposed to lose so the other man
can win. Anyway, it turns out in to a Hilarious fun movie that
will have you laughing for hours. I pretty much Liked DOWN
TO EARTH, but this is much better. It is hilarious and focuses
on the issue on the first Black President ever to being a gangsta. Don't let anyone under 11 see this. I reccomend this
and Down to Earth.

Not so bad
Review date: 2003-10-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

I was a bit apprehensive when I sat down to watch this movie, thinking that it would be one of those movies which will disappoint in the end. And certainly, the storyline is very simple and somewhat nonsensical. But Chris Rock pulls it off.

Rock plays Mays Gilliam, a lowly black politician who is chosen to run in the Presidential campaign as a ploy to make the party lose deliberately. Gilliam, however, grows in the role as a Presidential candidate, and together with his running mate (Bernie Mac), pulls of the greatest election upset of all time.

It's all very predictable, but the movie is littered with several hilarious, spoof-like, moments, and it is in this environment where Rock and Mac excel.

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