Bob Roberts

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Movie
German title Bob Roberts
Original title Bob Roberts
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1992
length 105 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Tim Robbins
script Tim Robbins
production Forrest Murray
music David Robbins
camera Jean Lepine
cut Lisa Zeno Churgin
occupation

Bob Roberts is a political satirical, socially critical film from 1992 . The mockumentary describes in the style of a documentation the fictional election campaign of the title character for the American Senate in 1990.

action

Roberts is a conservative folk singer and self-made millionaire running for the 1990 Senate elections in the state of Pennsylvania . The film designs the character as a "right-wing" Bob Dylan . Many of the songs refer to Dylan originals such as The Times Are Changin 'Back . There are also numerous cinematic allusions, for example to the Dylan documentary Don't Look Back by D. A. Pennebaker (published 1967) and others. You first learn about him that he grew up under anti-authoritarian parents in the 1960s, but that he did not enjoy this lifestyle and that he attended a military academy . In the course of the film, his election campaign is shown, which is by no means carried out exclusively with fair means. It is probably Roberts' campaign team that circulated rumors of extramarital affairs involving incumbent Senator Paiste, which cost him his 10% lead in the polls. Photos and film recordings are distributed with an underage campaign worker next to him in the car, on the passenger seat. His defense that this was a friend of his granddaughter, who was also sitting in the back of the car but was not filmed, is apparently not believed. Paiste is - in contrast to Roberts - against armament and against a tougher approach to the Arab world.

Apart from his own musical appearances and his engagement against drugs, Bob Roberts and his team seem to be involved in some dubious business. The journalist Bugs Raplin tirelessly pursues him and tries to prove that in 1987 Bob Roberts was - at least indirectly - involved in the embezzlement of construction funds and drug smuggling through the organization "Broken Dove", which he supports. Roberts' campaign manager Lukas Hart III, in particular, is receiving particular attention in connection with that affair. On the basis of the thin evidence, Hart was acquitted by the Senate three years ago, but the excitement over Roberts' business deals his election campaign a serious blow. Even his appearance on a live television show, where he performs his latest, still extremely right-wing populist songs, does not go very smoothly. An employee disgusted by Roberts simply switches off the power in the middle of the program, thus preventing further subliminal votes. However, this costs them the job.

When Senator Paiste seems to be on top again, an assassination attempt is carried out on Bob Roberts, which ties him to a wheelchair. Initially, Bugs Raplin is suspected, who can be caught with the murder weapon in hand after the confusion. During the investigation, however, it turns out that Raplin's right hand has a motor impairment and that he could in no way have been able to fire a shot. He also claims that he saw that Roberts was not hit by the bullets at all, only shot on the ground. Raplin is released, but the public has already shown solidarity with Roberts. Before election night, Raplin is shot dead by a justice fanatic who thinks he is guilty, and Roberts wins the election with 52% of the vote.

Paiste now has to vacate his post after about 30 years. Roberts, whose legs were allegedly paralyzed by a spinal injury, moves into Washington in a wheelchair. But although he is supposed to be able to try to move his toes after weeks, the attentive viewer sees Roberts bobbing his feet to the beat of his music towards the end of the film. In addition, you can see a male standing in the lighted window of his house who has a striking resemblance to Roberts' figure. Raplin's claims appear to be true.

Reviews

  • film-dienst 20/1992: “A 'fictional documentary' about the striving for political power and the irresponsible exploitation of popular moods, based on tried and tested models with a stylistically virtuoso design. At the same time a thought-provoking lesson about the abuse of language and modern communication technologies as a means of exerting political influence. "
  • epd Film 10/1992: “Bob Roberts makes aggressive in a physical and therefore healthy way. Reality becomes tangible through body language. "

Remarkable

The soundtrack of the film (Bob Roberts' songs) was created by Tim Robbins himself, e.g. Composed partly with the help of his brother. Robbins, however, prevented the soundtrack from being released separately on a CD because he feared that someone - taken out of context with the film - could take it seriously.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bob Roberts. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used