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Dave

Play trailer Poster for Dave PG-13 Released May 7, 1993 1h 50m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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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Dave

Dave

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ken R Thoroughly enjoyable movie from beginning to end- Kevin Kline excellent- Watch if you want to escape for a couple hours Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Dave

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Ivan Reitman, Lauren Shuler Donner
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
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround
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