Dave (1993)
Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 54
Fresh: 51 | Rotten: 3
Ivan Reitman's refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 18
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 1
Ivan Reitman's refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline.
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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 41,511
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
May 7, 1993 Wide
Apr 28, 1998
Warner Bros.
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Cast
-
Kevin Kline
Dave Kovic/Bill Mitc... -
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 Lead... -
Lexie D. Bigham
White House Guard -
Frank Birney
Director of OMB -
Dan Butler
Reporter -
Paul Collins
Secretary of Treasur... -
Robin Gammell
Postmaster General -
Stefan Gierasch
House Majority Leade... -
Wendy Gordon
Announcer -
Charles Hallahan
Policeman -
Tom Harkin
Himself -
Heather Hewitt
Judy -
Bonnie Hunt
White House Tour Gui... -
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 Physicia... -
Alba Oms
Lola -
Catherine Reitman
Girl at Durenberger'... -
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 Commerc... -
Steve Witting
1st Secret Service -
Geneviève Robert
Vice-President's Wif... -
Gary Ross
2nd Policeman -
Arnold Schwarzenegge...
Himself -
-
Alan Simpson
Himself -
Oliver Stone
Himself -
Dawn Arnemann
Mom at Durenberger's -
Tom Dugan
Jerry -
-
-
Kathleen Sullivan
Herself -
Bonnie Bartlett
Female Senator -
John McLaughlin
Himself -
Richard Reeves
Himself -
Aaron Michael Lacey
Reporter -
-
Chris Matthews
Himself
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Dave Trailer & Photos
All Critics (54) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (3) | DVD (2)
A genial, expertly played political comedy proves that the spirit of Mr. Smith still lives.
Top CriticIt's impossible to say whether Dave will play as wonderfully over the decades as it does right now, but this smooth-as-silk comedy could not be more timely, or connect more hopefully with our current national consciousness.
While it's sloppy and draggy in parts, Kevin Kline, in the title role, delivers an ingratiating comedic performance.
Kline is so polished and resourceful that he can glide his way through even the creakiest bits and make them seem fresh.
Though replete with amusing situations and clever lines, its strongest suit is the delicately pitched comic performances of its actors, most especially star Kevin Kline.
After the promisingly nasty beginning, the filmmakers settle into a sort of campaign mode, lulling and flattering the audience with a fairy-tale vision of the common man's victory over the Washington establishment.
[A] delightful, gentle satire on the Washington political scene.
Dave isn't too careful about filling plot holes. It does a pretty fair job, however, of making jokes at the expense of the D.C. political scene.
As Kline begins to take his presidential duties seriously, the comedy seeps out, a listless civic-mindedness drifts in like fog off the Potomac.
Despite the familiar echoes, the film works more often than it should. Without the charming Kevin Kline in two roles, plot problems would yawn like sinkholes.
Despite its predictability this is one of director Reitman's best films, a gentle satire which provides Kline with one of his most likeable characters.
Kline gives a tremendously likable performance as the ersatz president, and Sigourney Weaver brings charm and elegance to the role of First Lady who's as ignorant of the switcheroo as the rest of the country.
Reitman keeps coming up with bouncy new directions to take the somewhat predictable material, greatly helped by Kline's bounce.
...an affable, good-natured comedy, thanks to its stars and director, who never push it too far beyond gentle political and social satire and light romance.
Pleasant comedy for older kids and up.
Although its politics may be shaky, this comedy still works thank to the charm of Kline and an excellent supporting cast.
The result is the funniest, savviest political comedy to come our way in some time.
Audience Reviews for Dave
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Foreign Titles
- Dave (1993) (DE)
- Dave (1993) (UK)
