Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts is a wealthy folk singer who launches a campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania, running against the sitting senator, Brickley Paiste. Performing acoustic songs that push hardline conservative views on welfare and social programs, he draws enthusiastic crowds and presents himself as a defender of national pride and family values. A documentary crew follows him on the trail, capturing his rallies, his staff and the lengths his campaign will go to as the race tightens.

Tim Robbins wrote, directed and stars in the film, his first as director and the earliest of the three features he has made, followed by Dead Man Walking and Cradle Will Rock. The cast includes Giancarlo Esposito as a journalist investigating the candidate, Alan Rickman as a campaign adviser, Ray Wise, Brian Murray and Gore Vidal as the incumbent senator. Produced by Forrest Murray, the film credits 69 cast members and 60 crew members across its 102-minute running time.

Released in September 1992, the film was made for about four million dollars and took in roughly the same amount worldwide. Its audience ratings sit at 7 out of 10 on IMDb, from around 16,000 votes, and 6.6 out of 10 on TMDB, from 179 votes, while critics rated it 7.5 out of 10 from 44 reviews, a higher assessment than either audience score.