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Dave (1993)

tomatometer

97

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.

audience

63

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

My Rating

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

Gary Ross

Apr 28, 1998

Warner Home Video

Cast

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
Chicago Reader
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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
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

[Mixes] comedy and corn with surprising savvy.

May 12, 2001 Comment
Rolling Stone
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A delightful, buoyant new take on an old theme.

February 13, 2001 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
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Wonderful lighthearted entertainment.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop 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
ReelViews
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Pleasant comedy for older kids and up.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
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
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

A buoyant comedy in the Capra tradition.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

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

April 30, 2005 Comment
Movie Metropolis

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

December 16, 2004 Comment
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

Thoroughly winning political comedy

November 12, 2004 Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette

Arrant nonsense mixed with goo.

February 11, 2004 Comments (3)
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
Spirituality and Practice
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Dave

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
CloudStrife84
Mike S

Super Reviewer

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