<\/a>The 1992 movie \u201cBob Roberts\u201d offers an uncannily prescient, satirical look at a candidacy much like Donald Trump\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Written, directed by and starring Tim Robbins, \u201cBob Roberts\u201d is a mock-umentary about an ultra-conservative millionaire businessman\u2014who\u2019s also a folksinger\u2014who \u00a0runs for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. He is supported by fanatic followers. He spouts a xenophobic, America-first, me-first, all-about-the-money philosophy. His followers exhibit some very weird, cult-like behaviors, and are routinely violent against people protesting his candidacy. He even hosts a a beauty pageant–and sings the theme song “She’s a Beautiful Girl.”<\/p>\n

I had seen this film before, but I couldn\u2019t have known at the time that it would be the script for the Trump campaign. This time around, I was floored by the jaw-dropping parallels. The one big difference is that, in “Bob Roberts,” the media is openly disgusted by his campaign. They do chase around after him in a Trump-like frenzy, but they’re not fawning–more like ogling.<\/p>\n

This is a really good movie\u2014its production values, acting and dialogue hold up very well 26 years later. As you watch it, you\u2019ll recognize members of the supporting cast as younger versions of actors who are better known today. You\u2019ll be name-checking all the way through the movie. [Teaser: One of the out-of-control Roberts fanboys is played by a very young Jack Black.]<\/p>\n

Also, the folk songs that Roberts uses to promote his philosophy are hilarious. [Tim Robbins wrote them and performs them\u2014straight-faced– as well.] As Roberts, Tim Robbins does a right-wing version of Bob Dylan\u2019s famous \u201cSubterranean Homesick Blues\u201d video<\/a>, in which key words are hand-written on cue cards that he drops as the soundtrack plays. In another perverse homage to Dylan, he leads swaying, adoring fans and a church choir in an anthem called \u201c Times Are Changin’\u2026Back.\u201d\u00a0 He even steals from Woody Guthrie in a song called \u201cThis Land Was Made for ME.\u201d \u00a0It\u2019s worth your while to listen closely to the lyrics of the Bob Roberts songs, and not simply dismiss them as soundtrack, background music.<\/p>\n

\u201cBob Roberts\u201d didn\u2019t get the attention it deserved when it was first released–probably because it seemed too wacky and improbable. Unfortunately, reality has now caught up with it.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the trailer:
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