Dave

PG-13

Released May 7, 1993

1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

List

95%

62 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) hatches a scheme to use a double for the president (Kevin Kline) at a public photo opportunity. Small business owner Dave Kovic (Kline) fits the bill, but after the president suffers a debilitating stroke, opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time without even informing the First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). It doesn't take long before the press, the nation and the president's wife realize something is different.

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Critics Consensus

Ivan Reitman's refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.

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Derek F

Rubbish. Just fast forward to the last scene, throw up in you mouth a little bit, and save yourself 1 1/2 hours.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

Abe C

Dave is a truly fun and enjoyable movie, and despite its age (30 years since it was released), it's a highly rewatchable and and entertaining movie to this day. Kevin Kline (who portrays both President Bill Mitchell and our titular protagonist Dave Kovic) at his finest during the funniest times of the movie and equally powerful at the dramatic scenes as well. The supporting cast is very capable and incredible... Sigourney Weaver the First Lady, Eleanor Mitchell, provides the strength and heart. Frank Langella as Chief-of-Staff Bob Alexander, has the gravitas to be the perfect antagonist. His sidekick Alan Reed (portrayed by Kevin Dunn) is a good/bad communications director. Ving Rhames (pre MI movie days) as Duane, the secret service agent, provides perhaps my favorite scene in the 3rd act. Charles Grodin as Murray, Dave's friend and often employment destination for his temp agency's clients. Ben Kingsley, as ever, with his presence (albeit in very short scenes) as the VP. Plus pre-famous Laura Linney and Bonnie Hunt, are there as bonus finds, too. Director Ivan Reitman made a truly wonderful movie that's as classic and as timely as it still is today. While I know it's being idealistic, and this is a piece of fiction, the things that happen in the end with Dave as the president and subsequently as a potential councilman was quite a nice ending. And Duane at the end!!! Hahaha a nice mic drop.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/23

Full Review

Nim T

A political comedy that had foolish moments that we know wouldn't happen in reality. The acting was great, where characters are able to form some form of chemistry. This is the second time that I watched Kevin Kline impersonating two characters, the other being in Wild Wild West. I think he did a fine job with his character because he showed how a nobody can have wishes to become somebody that makes a difference. My favorite scene was the chemistry that unexpectedly got built between him and Sigourney Weaver. Frank Langella's character also was marvelous as he was able to show the true form of a person who can drastically change while abusing power. A fine film that can help us hope for a president that can continue to care for its people.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/15/23

Full Review

Michael T

Dave tried too hard to give people the cliches of modern politics and as such failed to ring true. In other words, not a very imaginative script. That being said, Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver did a good job with their roles and carried the movie over the top of a weak script. Worth a watch- a feel good romantic comedy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Leave it to Dave to save the day or at least face... Kevin Kline plays dual roles as the President of the United States and as Dave, a small business owner who share the exact same facial features A supporting cast lead by Frank Langella, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Ving Rhames, Kevin Dunn, and Laura Linney The president himself suffers a brain injury from a stroke so the White House chief of staff hatches a plan to use Dave as a double for a photo opportunity But he has to play the part longer and they don't even inform the First Lady How long before the press, the nation, and even the presidents wife find out? This is a good natured film with a good heart It provides hopes for the country and what it wanted from the commander in chief Keep in mind the politics are sorely outdated The wondrous sense of good and optimism isn't with us now like it was back then so a story like this couldn't fly now The film has a warm charm to it but not much laughs Ivan Reitman is known for belly inducing scripts but it's lacking here Kline is terrific at bough next to Weaver both feeling caught in a web they can't escape from whether it's the public eye or their tightly knit roles The script just felt very imbalanced given the president's condition and he laughs being meshed Some sloppy ness and parts that drag could've been improved a lot A fair if erratic effort by Reitman

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

Coventry

Amazing, refreshing, and hilarious

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Ivan Reitman

Director

Kevin Kline

Dave Kovic

Sigourney Weaver

First Lady Ellen Mitchell

Frank Langella

White House Chief of Staff Bob Alexander

Ben Kingsley

Vice President Gary Nance

Kevin Dunn

Alan Reed, White House Communications Director

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

When someone asks me to name the best film directed by Ivan Reitman, I immediately respond with 1993’s political comedy Dave.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 4, 2023

Full Review

Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

Layering this sweet comedic story with some sharp, editorial barbs, screenwriter Gary Ross has fashioned an engaging, brainy comedy.

May 8, 2018

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

It's the spritely comic timing of the fine Hollywood ensemble that keeps Dave percolating. This affable, well-built comedy is Reitman's best since Ghostbusters.

Feb 19, 2018

Full Review

Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Pulls off the rare feat of being rooted in politics without displaying any partisanship. Sophisticated but relatable and smart, it is a comedy with endless charm and an ability to impart a common sense message without standing on a soap box doing so.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 6, 2022

Full Review

Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

"Dave" is the very model of a modern Capraesque comedy, being the story of a little guy who triumphs, through pluck and luck, over a corrupt system.

Oct 26, 2020

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

It's a high-concept premise that's employed to watchable yet erratic effect by Ivan Reitman...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 16, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Shifty White House chief of staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) hatches a scheme to use a double for the president (Kevin Kline) at a public photo opportunity. Small business owner Dave Kovic (Kline) fits the bill, but after the president suffers a debilitating stroke, opportunist Alexander arranges for Dave to step in full time without even informing the First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). It doesn't take long before the press, the nation and the president's wife realize something is different.

Director: Ivan Reitman
Executive Producer: Joe Medjuck, Michael C. Gross
Screenwriter: Gary Ross
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Donner/Schuler-Donner, Northern Lights Entertainment, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 7, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.0M
Sound Mix: Surround

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