Dave (1993)

97% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(40,114 ratings)

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… More 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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Ivan Reitman
Written By: Gary Ross
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: May 7, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Apr 28, 1998
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
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.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
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.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
[Mixes] comedy and corn with surprising savvy.
Brian Lowry, Variety
A delightful, buoyant new take on an old theme.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Wonderful lighthearted entertainment.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A highly-enjoyable, fresh, and energetic motion picture that even the most hard-bitten cynic will be hard-pressed to condemn.
Maria Llull, Common Sense Media
Pleasant comedy for older kids and up.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
Although its politics may be shaky, this comedy still works thank to the charm of Kline and an excellent supporting cast.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The result is the funniest, savviest political comedy to come our way in some time.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
A buoyant comedy in the Capra tradition.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Solid "imposter" film with Kline tailor-made as a presidential look-alike getting the chance to play the White House.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
A naive political nightmare masquerading as a likable feel-good flick. But it's okay, I can deal.
Michael H. Price, Fort Worth Business Press
Darned near the Second Coming of Capra in Reitman's account of common decency under siege by political treacheries.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Thoroughly winning political comedy
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Arrant nonsense mixed with goo.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This film is a delightful social fable which celebrates the Good Samaritan idealism of an ordinary citizen who actually makes a difference in Washington

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

Frank Capra would be proud. Ivan Reitman's second best film.
Mike S

There's something quite magical about 1993. Not only do I count it as one of the best years of my life, but it's one that also brought us some of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Personal favourites of mine like Jurassic Park and Groundhog… More
There's something quite magical about 1993. Not only do I count it as one of the best years of my life, but it's one that also brought us some of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Personal favourites of mine like Jurassic Park and Groundhog Day. Among all those cinematic triumphs, there was also another, more anonymous story. One that sort of fell in the shadow of previously mentioned titans (and that I hadn't really heard of until recently). I'm referring, of course, to Dave. Now, I could speak volumes of what makes this into such a wonderful viewing experience. But as I'm trying to keep my reviews in digestable portions, let me just say the following: Kevin Kline at his career-best, Sigourney Weaver as a lovely first lady. Funny, romantic, touching and inspiring. And these are just a few of the things that I loved about it. An underrated, heartwarming and flawlessly directed comedy, that starts off great and then gets better for every minute thereafter.
Lucas M

Nothing bad.
Tim S

Not terrific, but it's good to see Ivan Reitman still working.
Anthony L

Dave was a lot better than I thought it would be, it didn't suffer misguided slap-stick and nor was it that a ridiculous concept, although, it is a little ridiculous but not as much as most films of this ilk made in the late 80's and early 90's. Shame that it's all… More
Dave was a lot better than I thought it would be, it didn't suffer misguided slap-stick and nor was it that a ridiculous concept, although, it is a little ridiculous but not as much as most films of this ilk made in the late 80's and early 90's. Shame that it's all the more dull for it. Not bad but not great, there really is no pleasing me is there!? ;o)
Jason S

This is a pretty good movie about something that would never happen. At least I hope it wouldn't happen. There are a few laughs with the fish out of water scenes we get once Kline is the President but the rest of the movie plays out as you would expect. The good guys wins and… More
This is a pretty good movie about something that would never happen. At least I hope it wouldn't happen. There are a few laughs with the fish out of water scenes we get once Kline is the President but the rest of the movie plays out as you would expect. The good guys wins and the bad guy doesn't. The cast is well rounded and they all did a good job.
Lenny M

Decent comedy.
Cassandra M

#7 Dave Kevin Kline pulls double duty in Dave. Kline plays both President Bill Mitchell, knocked out of commission during an extramarital tryst, and Dave Kovic, an occasional presidential impersonator secretly brought in to act the part on a long-term basis. While Mitchell had been… More
#7 Dave Kevin Kline pulls double duty in Dave. Kline plays both President Bill Mitchell, knocked out of commission during an extramarital tryst, and Dave Kovic, an occasional presidential impersonator secretly brought in to act the part on a long-term basis. While Mitchell had been foundering in office, Dave turns out to be a natural, proving that even a simpleton can do the job. Oh... President Speak: "You don't really know how much you can do until you, stand up and decide to try."
Curtis L

I don't remember much about it.
Candy R

Heartwarming movie about a guy who looks like the president. When the president falls ill, his like-a-like steps in. Good cast.
Lafe F

Good comedy-drama with Kevin Kline playing the role of the US President, and the actor who would impersonate him, in order to save the country. Sigourney Weaver is great as the first lady. The impersonation is a bit like the "Prisoner of Zenda", which has been overused. The… More
Good comedy-drama with Kevin Kline playing the role of the US President, and the actor who would impersonate him, in order to save the country. Sigourney Weaver is great as the first lady. The impersonation is a bit like the "Prisoner of Zenda", which has been overused. The movie gets a bit serious at times, but I guess that makes it more believable.
xGary X

Against my better judgement, I really warmed to Kevin Kline in this film, and Weaver has never been more approachable. Contrived pap, yes, but likeable contrived pap.
jay n

Utterly charming, if only Kevin Kline & Sigourney Weaver were the first couple
Naughtia N

Dave (Kline) looks very much like the President of the United States in appearance so when the Presidents falls in to a coma, Dave gets asked to fill in for the President in order to prevent a huge tabloid scandal. This is highly illegal and must be kept secret at all cost. This movie… More
Dave (Kline) looks very much like the President of the United States in appearance so when the Presidents falls in to a coma, Dave gets asked to fill in for the President in order to prevent a huge tabloid scandal. This is highly illegal and must be kept secret at all cost. This movie was fun to watch and I liked seeing Weaver cast as the First Lady. Kevin Kline did a great job in this movie and the plot was most entertaining.
Sarah P

This is an absurd plot, however it's an enjoyable little movie to watch when there's nothing better to do. It's mediocre.
Marcus W

Man impresonates President for a one-off, President goes into coma, man stays on and nobody can fail to see what'll happen. And this is a perfect example of a Sunday afternoon movie. If it had a few more teeth and took the odd risk it would have been great. As it is, this film… More
Man impresonates President for a one-off, President goes into coma, man stays on and nobody can fail to see what'll happen. And this is a perfect example of a Sunday afternoon movie. If it had a few more teeth and took the odd risk it would have been great. As it is, this film is completely harmless to you and your family, and enjoyable enough for it.
Sunil J

Silly and fun.
Jonny C

Likable enough comedy, with good performance's from a seasoned cast. The scene at the construction factory gave it an extra half star.
Doctor S

One of those pleasant, completely unmemorable comedies.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Kevin Kline as Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell

            Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Mitchell

            Frank Langella as Bob Alexander

            Kevin Dunn as Alan Reed

            Ving Rhames as Duane Stevenson

            Ben Kingsley as Vice President Nance

            Charles Grodin as Murray Blum

            Faith Prince as Alice

            Parley Baer as Senate Majority Leader

            Lexie D. Bigham as White House Guard

            Frank Birney as Director of OMB

            Dan Butler as Reporter

            Paul Collins as Secretary of Treasury

            Robin Gammell as Postmaster General

            Stefan Gierasch as House Majority Leader

            Wendy Gordon as Announcer

            Charles Hallahan as Policeman

            Tom Harkin as Himself

            Heather Hewitt as Judy

            Bonnie Hunt as White House Tour Guide

            Bernard Kalb as Himself

            Larry King as Himself

            Tom Kurlander as Trauma Doctor

            Jay Leno as Himself

            Laura Linney as Randi

            Ralph Manza as White House Barber

            Sarah Marshall as Diane

            George Martin as President's Physician

            Alba Oms as Lola

            Catherine Reitman as Girl at Durenberger's

            Jason Reitman as Vice President's Son

            Stephen Root as Don Durenberger

            Anna Deavere Smith as Mrs. Travis

            Ben Stein as Himself

            Nina Totenberg as Herself

            Sander Vanocuer as Himself

            Robert Walsh as Speaker of the House

            Peter White as Secretary of Commerce

            Steve Witting as 1st Secret Service

            Geneviève Robert as Vice-President's Wife

            Gary Ross as 2nd Policeman

            Arnold Schwarzenegger as Himself

            Paul Simon
            
            Alan Simpson as Himself

            Oliver Stone as Himself

            Dawn Arnemann as Mom at Durenberger's

            Tom Dugan as Jerry

            Michael Chinich
            
            Bonnie Timmermann
            
            Kathleen Sullivan as Herself

            Bonnie Bartlett as Female Senator

            John McLaughlin as Himself

            Richard Reeves as Himself

            Aaron Michael Lacey as Reporter

            Helen A. Thomas
            
            Chris Matthews as Himself
See full cast

Dave (1993)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

Trailers & Clips