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 | the white house | president | first lady | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie's Oval Office set was re-used more than twenty-five times, for television shows and movies like The Pelican Brief (1993), Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), and Absolute Power (1997).

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Goofs

When Dave holds the joint session of Congress, the members of Congress are sitting at desks; thus, it appears as if the session is occurring in the Senate chamber. A joint session would be held in the much larger House of Representative chamber, which doesn't have desks for every member like the Senate chamber does.

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Quotes

Girl at Durenberger's: [at the domestic cars convention] Mommy, that's not really the President, is it?
Mom at Durenberger's: I sure hope not!

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Political Comedy Movies (2015)

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Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played by a band after the President's speech

User Reviews

Funny, sweet, and totally totally feel good

Dave (1993)

A hilarious wishful movie about what we really want our president to be. Kevin Kline is perfect in the role--both roles--a little goofy but totally believable. The rest of the cast doesn't much matter. They are decent if never amazing. It's a lightweight movie and to demand much beyond the gags and feel good qualities isn't fair to it.

Does it hold up twenty years after it was made? Oddly, yes. You might not even notice it's a bit outdated on the fringes. Politics in some ways has not changed a bit. And the idea of body doubles for the U.S. President is still in currency (see "Vantage Point" for starters). Of course the notion of a secretive government that might pull of a huge scam isn't far-fetched at all (except of course that you hope it actually is far-fetched outside of Hollywood--see "Wag the Dog" for starters).

There is also the use of lots of real people to bolster the idea that it's real, or could be real. Some are identified (senators and other celebrities from the era) so if you don't recognize them you should at least trust that these people are not actors.

But there are a number (like 20 or 30) of other "real" people playing themselves, including Oliver Stone. In case you don't know him, Stone is being interviewed on Larry King Live (with the real Larry King) and he says that they've studied photos of the "new" president and that it's a conspiracy. This is really one of the many little hilarious lines because Stone, of course, is famous for hatching or nurturing conspiracy theories for his movies. His "JFK" came out just two years earlier.

The other fun one most people will miss (and this dates me) is running into an unidentified Tip O'Neill on the streets. He was the real speaker of the house, and it's a great little three seconds. He dies the following year.

Okay, the movie isn't brilliant. But it never gets stale, and it's well made enough to survive even a curmudgeon without popcorn. It'll make you laugh.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

7 May 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dave

Filming Locations:

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,306,755, 9 May 1993

Gross USA:

$63,270,710

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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