Down To Earth/Head of State (2001)

Down to Earth: Acclaimed as "the funniest man in America," Chris Rock delivers a first-rate performance in this romantic comedy about a man who gets a second chance at life and love. Struggling black comic Lance Barton (Rock) knows what it's like to die on stage. But when his life takes an unexpected turn--straight to heaven--Lance is sure there's been a mistake. Miraculously, he's right! An angel tells Lance he was taken prematurely but assures him he can be returned to Earth--in the aged body of a ruthless white billionaire. In this improbable reincarnation, Lance begins a hilarious quest to realize his showbiz dream and, along the way, discovers the person he never imagined he could be. Co-starring Regina King and based on the hit film Heaven Can Wait, Down to Earth is a "bold and brilliant comedy" (Kimberley C. Roberts, The Philadelphia Tribune).

Head of State: If you want a real political party, there's only one man who's wild and funny enough to take it all the way to the White House. He's Chris Rock, and he's ready to roll! When Washington desperately needs a presidential candidate just weeks before the election, they need someone sure to lose. They pick Mays Gilliam (Rock), an unknown local politician from a down-and-out D.C. neighborhood, to be their puppet. But if Mays is going to run, he's going to have fun. He's bringing in his brother Mitch (Bernie Mac), a hardcore bail bondsman, as his running mate and turning his campaign into party central. Now, Gilliam's gaining in the polls and on his way to making history. Comedian Chris Rock writes, directs and stars in the hit comedy from Capitol Hill that proves an underdog can become top dog and that the real power in Washington is a lot of laughs.
 
"[Down] ...funny and heartfelt."  David Sheehan, CBS-TV
"[Head] The gags come fast and furious...Rock and cowriter Ali LeRoi strive for wit over crudity."  J.R. Jones, Chicago Reader
"[Head] ...a laugh-out-loud funny movie."  Luke Y. Thompson, Dallas Observer
"[Down] The funniest man in America will have you laughing until it hurts."  Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV
 


Editor's Note

This double feature presents two outrageous comedies starring celebrated comic talent Chris Rock: DOWN TO EARTH (2001) and HEAD OF STATE (2003).

Rock updates 1978's HEAVEN CAN WAIT with a decidedly modern flair in the romantic comedy DOWN TO EARTH. Lance Barton (Rock) is a struggling comedian whose dream is to perform at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater before it closes its doors forever. One night, while riding his bike, Lance is crushed by an enormous truck. Before he can come to terms with what has happened, he is strolling through Heaven, talking to the smooth Mr. King (Chazz Palminteri) and the bumbling Keyes (Eugene Levy), the angel who prematurely snatched Lance away from Earth. Mr. King agrees to make up for this mistake by returning Lance to New York, only instead of being a black bike messenger, Lance is now Mr. Wellington, a powerful white businessman who just so happens to be the enemy of Sontee (Regina King), the woman he has become infatuated with. Wooing Sontee with a new commitment to using Mr. Wellington's money philanthropically, Lance embarks on a mission to perform at the Apollo, even if he doesn't seem to fit the mold. But just when everything begins to fall into place, Mr. King returns to throw another glitch into Lance's plans.

Cowritten by Rock and Ali LeRoi, HEAD OF STATE follows an unassuming Washington DC alderman, Mays Gilliam (Rock), as he finds himself embroiled in a presidential election. Just weeks before the nation is about to elect a new president, one of the candidates is killed in a plane crash. Plotting a future run in 2008, Senator Bill Arnot (James Rebhorn) convinces his staff--Debra Lassiter (Lynn Whitfield) and Martin Geller (Dylan Baker)--to pick a replacement who has no chance of winning. But he gets more than he bargained for when he selects Mays. At first merely thankful to be in the spotlight, Mays plays the puppet, but eventually, he uses his power to actually say something meaningful. And when he selects his bail bondsman brother, Mitch (Bernie Mac), to be his running mate, everyone is shocked to discover that Mays is giving the people exactly what they want.