Dave (1993)

To avoid a potentially explosive scandal when the U.S. President goes into a coma, an affable temp agency owner with an uncanny resemblance is put in his place.

Director:

Ivan Reitman

Writer:

Gary Ross

Stars:

Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Laura Linney	...	Randi
Bonnie Hunt	...	White House Tour Guide
Parley Baer	...	Senate Majority Leader
Stefan Gierasch	...	House Majority Leader
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Mrs. Travis
Charles Hallahan	...	Policeman
Tom Dugan	...	Jerry

Storyline

Bill Mitchell is the philandering and distant President of the United States. Dave Kovic is a sweet-natured and caring Temp Agency operator, who by a staggering coincidence looks exactly like the President. As such, when Mitchell wants to escape an official luncheon, the Secret Service hires Dave to stand in for him. Unfortunately, Mitchell suffers a severe stroke whilst having sex with one of his aides, and Dave finds himself stuck in the role indefinitely. The corrupt and manipulative Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander, plans to use Dave to elevate himself to the White House - but unfortunately, he doesn't count on Dave enjoying himself in office, using his luck to make the country a better place, and falling in love with the beautiful First Lady...

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Plot Keywords:

conspiracy | doppelganger | larry king character | good versus evil | hero | 

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Taglines:

Dave Kovic was an ordinary guy who was asked to impersonate the President. When they gave him a chance to make the country better...he did.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary language and a sexual situation

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Дейв

Filming Locations:

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$63,270,710

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Northern Lights Entertainment, Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The draperies from "Dave"'s Oval Office were reused in the film RocketMan (1997).

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Goofs

In a latter scene, Dave is meeting the VP in the Oval Office. As they enter the office, the tall clock in the background shows 10:30. Several minutes later the clock shows again in the background. The time is still 10:30.

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Quotes

Dave: I don't want to tell some eight-year-old kid he's gotta sleep in the street because we want people to feel better about their *car*. Do *you* want to tell them that?
Secretary of Commerce: [quietly] No sir.
[sits back in his seat and reflects]
Secretary of Commerce: No I sure don't.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.88 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Hail to the Chief
(1810) (uncredited)
Music by James Sanderson
Played by a band before the President's speech

User Reviews

Kevin Kline Raises the Film to a New Level

"Dave" should have been a pure mess of a movie, but instead it is a highly enjoyable film which has great elements of comedy and drama. Kevin Kline stars as the title character who must impersonate the president of the United States after the real president suffers a massive heart attack which has left him in a coma. "Dave" goes for laughs, but also has a great deal of drama which keeps the audience intrigued throughout. Frank Langella does some of the best work of his career. Sigourney Weaver, Ving Rhames, Charles Grodin, and Ben Kingsley are all perfectly cast in supporting roles. The screenplay is smart and the direction never loses its focus. 4.5 out of 5 stars.