Picture the scene: Mount Rushmore, home to one of America’s most beloved monuments. As the patriotic music swells, we see a rapper, complete with two “dancers” begin to perform. Raise the roof, homie.
Looking for political equality? “Head of State” manages to triumph over racial barriers in around 95 minutes.
With Chris Rock running the show, both directing and co-writing, “Head of State” is a feel-good movie with an edge. The movie tries to convey a positive message, combining comedy with social commentary. Though admirable, the combination contradicts itself at times. The comedian points out many social problems like gun control, economic discrimination and dirty politics, though no solutions are truly offered.
Punches are rarely pulled here. An obscure alderman is selected by an unnamed party (Democrats, anyone?) to run as the token black guy, incurring favor with minority votes for the next election. Chris Rock, as Alderman Mays Gilliam, becomes a puppet to the party before some advice from his brother, played by Bernie Mac, encourages him to speak his mind.
From that moment on, using the tag line, “That ain’t right!,” Gilliam becomes a candidate who speaks honestly. Meanwhile, his opponent hides behind mudslinging campaign techniques, and says “God bless America- and nowhere else.”
A well-timed satire,”Head of State” can be funny, yet at times is far too simplistic. The good guys are in white hats, and the bad are properly villainous. The characters seem bound to racial and political stereotypes.
“Head of State” is, nonetheless, worth a look. If only for the scene featuring the “team of superwhores” training, the “C walkin’ ” and the ad campaigns (“Does Mays Gilliam support Cancer?”), the movie is worth the price of admission.