Head of State

2003, Comedy, 1h 35m

120 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Head of State squanders its potentially ripe premise with watered-down satire and formulaic gags. Read critic reviews

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Head of State Photos

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Movie Info

A low-level Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mostly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Language|Drug References|Some Sexuality)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Chris Rock
  • Producer:
    Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi, Michael Rotenberg
  • Writer:
    Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $37.8M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    DreamWorks SKG
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Chris Rock
Mays Gilliam
Bernie Mac
Mitch Gilliam
Dylan Baker
Martin Geller
Nick Searcy
Brian Lewis
Lynn Whitfield
Debra Lassiter
Robin Givens
Kim
Tamala Jones
Lisa Clark
James Rebhorn
Senator Bill Arnot
Keith David
Bernard Cooper
Tracy Morgan
Meat Man
Stephanie March
Nikki
Robert Stanton
Advisor
Jude Ciccolella
Mr. Earl
Nate Dogg
Self
Beau James
Senator
Jeremy Borash
Wrestling Announcer
Chris Rock
Director
Chris Rock
Writer
Ali LeRoi
Writer
Chris Rock
Producer
Ali LeRoi
Producer
Michael Rotenberg
Producer
Ezra Swerdlow
Executive Producer
Donald E. Thorin
Cinematographer
Steven Jordan
Production Designer
Stephen A. Rotter
Film Editor
Amanda Sanders
Costume Designer
Marcus Miller
Composer
DJ Quik
Composer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Head of State

All Critics (120) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (84)

View All Critic Reviews (120)

Audience Reviews for Head of State

  • Mar 07, 2011
    This is a very funny satire of our political system and of black culture with the general premise being a black man is chosen to run for president by a white establishment that assumes he'll lose. Chris Rock plays Mays Gilliam, an alderman who finds himself running for President of The United States after the original presidential candidate dies in a plane crash two months before the election. Obviously, he is being set up to lose, but (of course) begins winning over the people and ultimately taking control of his fixed campaign with his street smart unorthodox methods. Bernie Mac plays Alderman's bail bondsman brother turned vice president running mate providing laughter with his rough and rumble ways. Robin Givens plays Gilliam's stalker ex-girlfriend.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 28, 2010
    Hey, what can I say, from beggining to end, I enjoyed this movie.
    Joseph E Super Reviewer
  • Feb 24, 2010
    Foreshadowing. Most Chris Rock-lead movies are terrible, this one is his best.
    Lenny M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 18, 2009
    <center>Mays Gilliam: I live in a neighborhood so bad, you can get shot while ya gettin' shot. </center> Great Movie with Chris Rock and the Irony of the Story in the Movie. Very funny Movie with lots of funny Quotes.
    NaWie M Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Quotes

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