Although its politics may be shaky, this comedy still works thank to the charm of Kline and an excellent supporting cast.
Dave (1993)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:36
Fresh:35
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.4/10
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Judging by their looks, conservative United States President Bill Mitchell and liberal minded temp-agency owner Dave Kovic could be identical twins separated at birth. When two Secret Service... Judging by their looks, conservative United States President Bill Mitchell and liberal minded temp-agency owner Dave Kovic could be identical twins separated at birth. When two Secret Service agents, at Chief-of-Staff Bob Alexander's request, clandestinely draft Dave into servicing his country by temporarily standing-in for President Mitchell, the carefree humanitarian gladly answers his call to duty. After all, as the President's look-alike Dave has aped austere Mitchell before. Luckily, the plan goes off without a hitch. But in an ironic twist of fate, President Mitchell is incapacitated, leaving Dave in a political hot-spot. Once Dave takes the extraordinary opportunity to implement progressive programs, reduce the national deficit and significantly effect social change, he nearly overturns Mitchell's reactionary administration, even as the very handlers begin conspiring against him. [More]
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Ben Kingsley, Charles Grodin, Ving Rhames
Director: Ivan Reitman
Director: Ivan Reitman
Screenwriter: Gary Ross
Reviews for Dave
Pulls off the impressive feat of blending old-fashioned romance with gentle comedy and a sprinkling of modern satire.
A highly-enjoyable, fresh, and energetic motion picture that even the most hard-bitten cynic will be hard-pressed to condemn.
This film is a delightful social fable which celebrates the Good Samaritan idealism of an ordinary citizen who actually makes a difference in Washington
Borrowing its premise from Capra, Reitman could have been titled his comedy, "Mr. Dave Goes to Washington," with Kevin Kline playing a Cooper-Stewart role, an ordinary man who becomes extraordinary due to a combo of circumstances and personality.
In spite of this sogginess, and despite a self-congratulatory, do-gooder streak that the film discovers within Dave, this comedy remains bright and buoyant much of the way through.
An overall mood of sweetness may help one to forgive the archaic and childish aspects of the would-be analysis, which splits everyone between angels and devils.
Reitman has just the right touch in this film about a presidential impersonator who enjoys an extended stay in the White House and develops an appreciation for politics.
The result is the funniest, savviest political comedy to come our way in some time.
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