Bob Roberts (1992, USA/GBR) C-102m. *** D: Tim Robbins. Starring Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Alan Rickman, Ray Wise, Brian Murray, Gore Vidal, Tom Atkins, David Strathairn, James Spader, Helen Hunt, Peter Gallagher, Jack Black, Susan Sarandon, Fred Ward, John Cusack, Bill Balaban. Scathing political satire marked actor Robbins' directorial debut. He plays a folk singer- turned-politician, who uses his wits to deceive the American public into electing him Senator of Pennsylvania. Intelligent observation of the power of the media (and the dumbness of many people) never fully realizes its brilliant potential but remains intriguing throughout. Robbins cowrote the engaging songs with his brother David.