Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- irreverent
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- political movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the premise promising but undermined by watered-down satire and formulaic gags.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Senator Bill Arnot and party advisers recruit Mays as a deliberately expendable nominee to benefit the vice-president.
Mays Gilliam is positioned as a possible first African American president of the United States.
Mitch advises Mays to be himself after the campaign's initial approach fails.
Mays's nomination, media exposure, and public-image management drive the central campaign plot.
Films like Head of State, and why
Wag the Dog
political satire, outsider candidate, and broad campaign comedy
The Campaign
election-season comedy built around media manipulation and political ambition
Dave
socially pointed presidential comedy with an outsider protagonist and optimistic accessibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Rock
- Release Date
- 2003-03-28
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (328)
Cast
- Chris Rock
- Bernie Mac
- Dylan Baker
- Nick Searcy
- Lynn Whitfield
- Robin Givens
- Tamala Jones
- James Rebhorn
- Keith David
- Tracy Morgan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Head of State about?
- An underestimated alderman is recruited as a disposable presidential candidate and turns a cynical electoral scheme into an unexpectedly genuine campaign.
- What is Head of State like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Head of State as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Head of State violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Head of State as mild.
- What did critics think of Head of State?
- Critics generally found the premise promising but undermined by watered-down satire and formulaic gags.
- Which films are like Head of State?
- Films with a similar feel include Wag the Dog, The Campaign, and Dave.
- How long is Head of State?
- Head of State runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Head of State?
- In United States, Head of State streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
