Head of State (2003)
-
31% of critics liked it
(117 reviews) -
49% of users liked it
(55,487 ratings)
Can a high-attitude African-American politician who says what he thinks stand a chance in a presidential campaign? Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a straight-talking alderman representing a inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. In the midst of a hard-fought race for the White House, the… More Can a high-attitude African-American politician who says what he thinks stand a chance in a presidential campaign? Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a straight-talking alderman representing a inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. In the midst of a hard-fought race for the White House, the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates are killed in an airline crash, and with little time to prepare a new campaign, the Republican candidate, Vice President Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), seems all but guaranteed to win. With practically nothing to loose, party head Martin Geller (Dylan Baker) approaches Gilliam and asks him to stand as the Democrat's presidential candidate. While Gilliam is dubious at first, before long his streetwise style and willingness to face the issues head-on earns him surprising figures in the polls, especially after he persuades his short-fused older brother, Mitch Gilliam (Bernie Mac), to join the ticket as vice presidential candidate -- a big jump for a bail bondsman. Gilliam's love life also becomes more complicated as his ex-girlfriend Kim (Robin Givens) decides she wants him back now that he has a shot at the White House, even though Gilliam only has eyes for Lisa (Tamala Jones). Head of State marked the directorial debut for comic and actor Chris Rock, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Chris Rock
- Written By
- Chris Rock, Ali Leroi
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 28, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- DreamWorks SKG
Critic Reviews
-
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
A missed opportunity.
-
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
It's pretty much a toothless dog.
-
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... I liked this premise in movies like Dave, or the Eddie Murphy movie The Distinguished Gentleman, where the unknown or the underdog becomes the candidate or even the president, but this is so poorly done.
-
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
As a TV sitcom pilot, Head of State might have potential, but, on a multiplex screen, the execution (if not the premise) is thin.
-
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Not the sharpest political humor I've ever heard, but it gets my vote for the stupidest fun I've had in a long time.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Chris Rock
as Mays Gilliam
-
Bernie Mac
as Mitch Gilliam
-
Dylan Baker
as Martin Geller
-
Nick Searcy
as Brian Lewis
-
Lynn Whitfield
as Debra Lassiter
-
Robin Givens
as Kim
-
Tamala Jones
as Lisa Clark
-
James Rebhorn
as Senator Bill Arnot
-
Keith David
as Bernard Cooper
-
Tracy Morgan
as Meat Man
-
Stephanie March
as Nikki
-
Robert Stanton
as Adviser
-
Jude Ciccolella
as Mr. Earl
-
Nate Dogg
as Himself
-
Reg E. Cathey
as Officer Waters
-
Ned Eisenberg
as Mike Blake
-
Mike Hodge
as 2nd Fundraiser Issue Man
-
Mario Joyner
as Lotto Man
-
Marcel Marceau
as Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Ba...
-
Novella Nelson
as Moderator
-
Clarke Peters
as Fundraiser Demo-Tape Man
-
Douglas Roberts
as Senator
-
Ed Wheeler
as Mr. Hawkins
-
Brian James
as B.G. James
-
Donna Hamilton
as Regional Anchor
-
John Badila
as General Olson James
-
David de Boy
as Police Chief
-
R. Bruce Elliott
as National Anchor
-
Gustave Johnson
as Chester Allen
-
Donald Neal
as Senator
-
Mark Zeisler
as 1st Fundraiser Issue Guy
-
Jimmy Tingle
as Talk Show Host
-
Lois Kelso Hunt
as Lewis' Mother
-
Ivan Scott
as Talk Show Host
-
Pat Moran
as 1st Fundraiser Issue Woman
-
Jeff Jarrett
as Himself
-
Ali Leroi
as Crazy Hostile Dreadlock Voter
-
Chandra Wilson
as Jaime
-
Wes Johnson
as Teamster #2
-
Funkmaster Flex
as Inaugural Ball Announcer
-
Patsy Grady Abrams
as 1st Fundraiser Wife
-
Sloane Brown
as Roadside Reporter
-
Delaney Williams
as Teamster #1
-
Heather Alicia Simms
as Tish
-
Gwendolyn Mulamba
as 2nd Fundraiser Issue Woman
-
Billöah Greene
as Musician
-
Beau James
as Senator
-
Tony Head
as Brad Harper
-
Ron Killings
as Himself
-
Brad Marshall
as Demolition Man
-
Annika Pergament
as Cable Anchorwoman
-
Mojo Gentry
as Porter
-
Kevin Reese
as Anchor
-
Lucy Newman Williams
as Train Station Reporter
-
Leanne Saunders
as Old Woman Transit Rider
-
Irving Jacobs
as 1st Fundraiser Party Goer
-
Jim Scopeletis
as Pork Man
-
Kirk Penberthy
as Gaines
-
Charles Able
as Charlie
-
Michael Ahl
as Klansman
-
Scott Armstrong
as Referee
-
Sade Baderinwa
as Transit Reporter
-
James R. Bergdahl
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Thomas Bevans
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Jeremy Borash
as Wrestling Announcer
-
Alan Chadsey
as Falling Man
-
Victoria Chapman
as Singing Lady
-
Terry Chasteen
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Raymond Clark
as Mays Decoy
-
Lee E. Cox
as Players Ball Pimp
-
Madeline DeVan
as Singing Lady
-
John F. Degen
as Voter on Street
-
Nancy Ding
as Voter on Street
-
Helaine Fonda
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Marilyn Getas
as National Anchor
-
Jennifer Gilbert
as Local Anchor
-
Gabrielle Goyette
as Woman
-
Kate Guyton
as Foot Lady
-
John Hall
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Robin L. Hall
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Tony Harris
as Local Anchor
-
Ann Haynsworth
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Elizabeth Johnson
as Nate's Girl
-
Linda Kenyon
as Screaming Woman
-
Ashton Marks
as Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Ba...
-
Angie Mattson
as Nate's Girl
-
Steven Maurice
as Shorty G
-
Brenna McDonough
as School Reporter
-
Doris E. McMillon
as Talk Show Host
-
Michael Munford
as Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Ba...
-
Robert J. Norman
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Tad Ohta
as Asian Man
-
Akira Otsuka
as Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Ba...
-
James G. Pasierb
as Voter on Street
-
Bob Perilla
as Bob Perilla's Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Ba...
-
Peter Puglisi
as California Screamer
-
Caitlin Ray
as Little Girl
-
H. Reneé
as Voter on Street
-
Cory Rosemeier
as Helicopter Pilot
-
David Savoy
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Sharon Savoy
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Norman Seltzer
as 1st Fundraiser Husband
-
Jamil Shaw
as Kid
-
Gammy L. Singer
as Miss Pearl
-
Deborah S. Smith
as Singing Lady
-
Stan Stovall
as Anchor
-
Brad Strange
as French Man
-
Barbara Suto
as Hip Hop Dancer
-
Camille J. Thomas
as Super Whore Drill Instructor
-
Cornell D. Thomas
as Muhammad Muhammad Muhammad
-
Kevin Witt
as Secret Service Agent
-
Patrice O'Neal
as Warren
-
Ron Harris
as Himself







