Bob Roberts

Writer, director, star, and singer/songwriter Tim Robbins pulls off the finest political satire since 1972's The Candidate in this story of a rich fascist yuppie who makes a bid for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Shot as a mock documentary (á la This is Spinal Tap), the camera follows Roberts as he rolls down the campaign trail in his ultra-technologically decked-out super Winnebago. Modeling himself as the anti-Bob Dylan, Bob Roberts sings such caustic hits as "Drugs Stink" and "I'm a Bleeding Heart" while racking up the right wing vote. Novelist Gore Vidal, who in a wonderfully droll performance, plays Roberts' opponent, incumbent Senator Brickley Paiste, offers his insights along with Robbins on one of the disc's three commentary tracks. Other DVD extras include deleted scenes, trailers and TV spots, and production notes. A wonderful (though miserably accurate) satire on contemporary American politics, this cameo-filled treat is highly recommended. (R. Pitman)