Key points
Film info
Synopsis/my notes
FT 553 notes
Film info
Directed by: Tim Robbins
IMDB link
Synopsis/my notes
The "rebel conservative". Rhetoric, plays on anger, "common man" but rich stockbroker. Scary robotic followers. Different languages -- Wall St., politics.
"The Times They Are a-Changin' Back", "Wall Street Rap". "This land is my land ...", "Complain". Guy (Jack Black!) with BOB tattooed on forehead. "I Want to Live". Stock ticker on bus. Beauty pageant, fencing, bike (falling off, calling guy fag), "objective journalism", suits, no tolerance of dissent. Handlers, security, brokers. Candlelight vigils, tapping foot, on computer, singing. Whiff of sulphur. Brickley Paiste -- bowtied liberal vs. charismatic fascist.
Documentary style, supposedly one-camera, but sometimes in two different places one right after the other. Talking-head interviews, candid shots, "let's not show this", MTV videos, dancers, Bob in patriotic dress.
FT 553 notes (from 07/27/04)
Robbins' 1st film, didn't have lot of money, shot on video (cheaper, faster). Uses lot of pop-culture icons -- MTV, network news, local anchors, talking heads. Putting on that kind of filmmaking -- "essential honesty" baloney. Creates wonderfully ruthless human being, takes through all the issues. Got friends to help as actors and crew.
In Network, Bob Roberts, "Bulworth", Wag the Dog, protagonist essentially nasty -- presented as if viewers condone nastiness.