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Dave (1993)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 39
Fresh: 38 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

100

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 10
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 0

No consensus yet.

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 40,114

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Movie Info

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

PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Ivan Reitman

Written By: Gary Ross

In Theaters: May 7, 1993 Wide

On DVD: Apr 28, 1998

Warner Home Video

Dave Trailer & Photos

Cast

Kevin Kline
Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchel...
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
Parley Baer
Senate Majority Leader
Lexie D. Bigham
White House Guard
Frank Birney
Director of OMB
Dan Butler
Reporter
Paul Collins
Secretary of Treasury
Robin Gammell
Postmaster General
Stefan Gierasch
House Majority Leader
Wendy Gordon
Announcer
Charles Hallahan
Policeman
Tom Harkin
Himself
Heather Hewitt
Judy
Bonnie Hunt
White House Tour Guide
Bernard Kalb
Himself
Larry King
Himself
Tom Kurlander
Trauma Doctor
Jay Leno
Himself
Laura Linney
Randi
Ralph Manza
White House Barber
Sarah Marshall
Diane
George Martin
President's Physician
Alba Oms
Lola
Catherine Reitman
Girl at Durenberger's
Jason Reitman
Vice President's Son
Stephen Root
Don Durenberger
Anna Deavere Smith
Mrs. Travis
Ben Stein
Himself
Nina Totenberg
Herself
Sander Vanocuer
Himself
Robert Walsh
Speaker of the House
Peter White
Secretary of Commerce
Steve Witting
1st Secret Service
Genevi�ve Robert
Vice-President's Wife
Gary Ross
2nd Policeman
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Himself
Paul Simon
Alan Simpson
Himself
Oliver Stone
Himself
Dawn Arnemann
Mom at Durenberger's
Tom Dugan
Jerry
Michael Chinich
Bonnie Timmermann
Kathleen Sullivan
Herself
Bonnie Bartlett
Female Senator
John McLaughlin
Himself
Richard Reeves
Himself
Aaron Michael Lacey
Reporter
Helen A. Thomas
Chris Matthews
Himself

Critic Reviews for Dave

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

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.

February 2, 2009 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

[Mixes] comedy and corn with surprising savvy.

May 12, 2001 Comment

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

A delightful, buoyant new take on an old theme.

February 13, 2001 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Brian Lowry

Variety

Top Critic

Wonderful lighthearted entertainment.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

A highly-enjoyable, fresh, and energetic motion picture that even the most hard-bitten cynic will be hard-pressed to condemn.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: ReelViews

| Comment

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

Pleasant comedy for older kids and up.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Maria Llull

Common Sense Media

Although its politics may be shaky, this comedy still works thank to the charm of Kline and an excellent supporting cast.

February 2, 2009 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

The result is the funniest, savviest political comedy to come our way in some time.

February 2, 2009 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

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.

June 10, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

A buoyant comedy in the Capra tradition.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Stephen Garrett

Time Out

Solid "imposter" film with Kline tailor-made as a presidential look-alike getting the chance to play the White House.

April 30, 2005 Comment

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

A naive political nightmare masquerading as a likable feel-good flick. But it's okay, I can deal.

December 16, 2004 Comment

Widgett Walls

Needcoffee.com

Darned near the Second Coming of Capra in Reitman's account of common decency under siege by political treacheries.

December 8, 2004 Comment

Michael H. Price

Fort Worth Business Press Source: Fort Worth Business Press

Thoroughly winning political comedy

November 12, 2004 Comment

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Arrant nonsense mixed with goo.

February 11, 2004 Comments (3)

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

This film is a delightful social fable which celebrates the Good Samaritan idealism of an ordinary citizen who actually makes a difference in Washington

July 12, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Dave

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

November 20, 2011

Graham Jones

Super Reviewer

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

June 29, 2007

Mike S

Super Reviewer

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