Dave

( 9 )

Overview

The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave, an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic Kevin Kline runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States, Bill Mitchell also played by Kline and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day, Dave...
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Overview

The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave, an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic Kevin Kline runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States, Bill Mitchell also played by Kline and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day, Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes, they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well, but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret, two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme, Bob Alexander Frank Langella, hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right-wing political agenda, but after a few weeks "in office," Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell Sigourney Weaver, the President's wife, while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago. Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians, Washington insiders, and journalists; Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Say what you will about Bill Clinton, there's no denying that he's inspired filmmaking like few presidents before him. Love him or hate him, in the '90s there was a film to reflect your opinion, be it aligned with the Rush Limbaugh-inspired conspiracies of Murder At 1600 or the idealized fantasy Clintons like the character played by Michael Douglas in The American President, the kindhearted, strong-willed liberal many of Clinton's supporters always wanted him to be. (See also TV's The West Wing). The Ivan Reitman-directed Dave manages to combine a little of both types of films, offering a jaded, debauched, opportunistic liberal president replaced by a compassionate doppelganger. Dave gets a lot of mileage out of the notion that politics would be better if run with the common sense of an ordinary person. It's a willfully naive, but deeply appealing fantasy here made convincing by Kevin Kline's enjoyable performance and a smart, funny script from Gary Ross. All involved keep a light touch throughout, making this particular fantasy Clinton all the more seductive.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/21/1994
  • UPC: 012569632233
  • Original Release: 1993

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Presentation: Spanish / Subtitled
  • Language: Español
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Kevin Kline Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell
Sigourney Weaver Ellen Mitchell
Frank Langella Bob Alexander
Kevin Dunn Alan Reed
Ving Rhames Duane Stevenson
Ben Kingsley Vice President Nance
Charles Grodin Murray Blum
Faith Prince Alice
Dawn Arnemann Mom at Durenberger's
Parley Baer Senate Majority Leader
Bonnie Bartlett Female Senator
Lexie Bigham White House Guard
Frank Birney Director of OMB
Dan Butler Reporter
Michael Chinich
Paul Collins Secretary of Treasury
Tom Dugan Jerry
Robin Gammell Postmaster General
Stefan Gierasch House Majority Leader
Wendy Gordon Announcer
Charles Hallahan Policeman
Tom Harkin Himself
Heather Hewitt Judy
Bonnie Hunt White House Tour Guide
Bernard Kalb Himself
Larry King Himself
Tom Kurlander Trauma Doctor
Aaron Michael Lacey Reporter
Jay Leno Himself
Laura Linney Randi
Ralph Manza White House Barber
Sarah Marshall Diane
George Martin President's Physician
Chris Matthews Himself
John McLaughlin Himself
Oliver Stone Himself
Alba Oms Lola
Richard Reeves Himself
Catherine Reitman Girl at Durenberger's
Jason Reitman Vice President's Son
Genevieve Robert Vice-President's Wife
Stephen Root Don Durenberger
Gary Ross 2nd Policeman
Arnold Schwarzenegger Himself
Paul Simon
Alan Simpson Himself
Anna Deavere Smith Mrs. Travis
Ben Stein Himself
Kathleen Sullivan Herself
Helen A. Thomas
Bonnie Timmermann
Nina Totenberg Herself
Sander Vanocuer Himself
Robert Walsh Speaker of the House
Peter White Secretary of Commerce
Steve Witting 1st Secret Service
Technical Credits
Ivan Reitman Director, Producer
Adam Greenberg Cinematographer
Steve Arnold Set Decoration/Design
Ron Berkeley Makeup
Gene S. Cantamessa Sound/Sound Designer
Michael Chinich Casting
Linda de Vetta Makeup
John Dexter Set Decoration/Design
Sherry Fadely Associate Producer
Michael J. Gross Executive Producer
Richard Hornung Costumes/Costume Designer
James Newton Howard Score Composer
Sheldon Kahn Editor
David F. Klassen Art Director
Joe Medjuck Executive Producer
Joseph G. Pacelli Jr. Set Decoration/Design
J. Michael Riva Production Designer
Gary Ross Screenwriter
Ann Roth Costumes/Costume Designer
Lauren Shuler-Donner Producer
Michael Taylor Set Decoration/Design
Bonnie Timmermann Casting
Gordon A. Webb Associate Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 9 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 30, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    My wife and I loved it enough to watch it twice in the theater.

    My wife and I loved it enough to watch it twice in the theater. We only wish actual politics were so possible to make work. Dunno about marriage....

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    The Emperor's Club

    Great film!

    I had watched this film years ago, but it had left a strong impression. It has an inspiring message that there are truly good hearts in the world, after all. Kevin Kline's performance is absolutely fantastic and he is incredibly funny! A must-see.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Kevin Kline

    Kline proves that he can play dual roles in this comedy/drama. It's a touching movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    . . . tomorrow, tomorrow, is only a day away . . .

    This romantic comedy set amidst the power and games of government is a clever, well structured story, that decency and honesty coupled with ingenuity, count for much even in circumstances beyond your control. Packed with cameos - Oliver Stone has a funny bit with Larry King. Ving Rhames delivers the best line - it well summarizes the movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Kevin Kline fan

    This is one of the best movies ever made. It has everything. Comedy, drama, even a really evil baddie. I've seen it everytime it comes on TV so bought the DVD as soon as I had a machine to play it on.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of my favorite movies

    I rented this movie not expecting much. Surprisingly, it's funny, romantic and even educational. Kevin Kline is wonderful as Dave, who suddenly finds himself in charge of the country. You may find yourself wishing he really could run the country, given his opinions on some of the issues! Even if you're not a fan of Kevin Kline or Sigorney Weaver, give this movie a try.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 6, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 20, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews