Head of State – Review

Back in 2003, the idea of a Black president was mere comedic fodder and fantasy, much less the topic of a Young Jeezy banger. Opening with a Nate Dogg (Himself, RIP) jam explaining the story to come we get a taste of the plot: the everyday man with a dream to be Head of State.

Alderman Mays Gilliam (Rock) fields non-stop calls and complaints from the public around him. As he next explains while walking to a DMX (RIP) beat, the community calls him when there is an issue, not the mayor. And today’s problem? Dion the cat is still inside a house to be demolished.

The cops and demo team are ready to go, but the poor cat!! Let the lady get her cat. As the explosive charges start their countdown, a daring rescue must be made. This leads to hot press and a hero status for Mays, who swoops in and grabs the furry feline. Then, the U.S. president perishes in a wild plane accident. Well, sheeeeeeiiittttt.

As Meat Man (Morgan) slangs his stolen pork chops at the convenience store, Mays hits on the hot clerk Lisa Clark (Jones) before going home to his erratic fiancé Kim (Givens) who dumps him while reaching ballistic levels over late bills, no money, and him acting like a child.

As the government officials Senator Bill Arnot (Rebhorn), Martin Gellar (Baker) and Debra Lassiter (Whitfield) decide that their party has no shot at winning the next election, they want someone to put on a good show. A candidate is needed that doesn’t even know there is no chance at the victory. Enter Mays Gilliams, recent hero of the people.

Head of State has decent enough dialogue and some funny jokes, even some of them running throughout the picture, such as banging out to ’03 Bonnie and Clyde repeatedly. The story is pretty mediocre overall, but it’s a comedy so sometimes that really doesn’t matter. Even a nonsensical story can at times work, so story is not a must, but does help. In this case it barely does much for the background, but allows for a few joke setups.

Some of these moments are alright and land for me, but a ton of critics and fans didn’t think much of this film on release, and I doubt it has gained a ton of new followers since. I like Chris Rock, all of the cast, and get a few laughs out of its 90-minute run for president. It’s a bit of a spoof and satire, but not all out farce. The comedy is there for fans of Rock, Bernie Mac (RIP), Hip Hop, or those wanting an urban political satire, as there aren’t a ton of those.

“Even Puff Daddy wears a suit to court.”