Dave

Plot synopsis:
Dave Kovic runs a temporary employment agency in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and has a side job impersonating President Bill Mitchell. He is requested by Secret Service agent Duane Stevensen to make an appearance as the President at a hotel. Dave assumes it is a matter of security, but it is really to cover up Mitchell's extramarital affair with a White House staffer.
Mitchell suffers a severe stroke during the rendezvous, leaving him in a coma. White House Chief of Staff Bob Alexander and Communications Director Alan Reed convince Dave to continue impersonating the President, telling him that Vice President Gary Nance is mentally unbalanced. Only Bob, Alan, the Secret Service, and the medical staff know of the switch. First Lady Ellen Mitchell leads a separate life, rarely seeing the President.
The public is notified that Mitchell has had a "minor circulatory problem of the head." With Dave established as President, Bob and Alan send Nance on a 12-nation goodwill tour of Africa and implicate him in a savings and loan fraud. Once Nance is forced to resign, Bob plans for Dave to nominate him as Vice President, whereupon Mitchell will have a more serious stroke and Bob will ascend to the Presidency.
Dave's enthusiasm revives Mitchell's popularity. He visits a homeless shelter with Ellen, who does not understand why he has taken a sudden interest. Bob forges Mitchell's veto of a funding bill that includes the shelter. When Dave is confronted about the veto by Ellen, he confronts Bob, who offhandedly tells him that if he can cut $650 million from the federal budget he can keep the shelter. Dave has his accountant friend Murray Blum help him rewrite the budget so that the project may be reinstated. To make sure that Bob doesn't stop him, Dave does it publicly in front of the press.
Suspecting that he is not really her husband, Ellen tricks Dave into revealing the truth. Dave and Duane show her Bill on life support in the White House basement. She and Dave decide to leave the White House. However, after a night out, they realize all the good they could still do and decide to return.
Dave blackmails Bob into resigning by threatening to go public with the switch, then announces a plan to find a job for every American who wants work. Nance returns from Africa and confronts Dave about the savings and loan scandal, insisting they both know there is no merit to the allegations. Dave talks to Alan, who reveals the whole plan was Bob's idea. Meanwhile, Bob reveals Mitchell's involvement in the savings and loan scandal while pushing his own candidacy for the presidency. Realizing that he can't go into hiding, Dave decides to take responsibility for Mitchell's actions.
The scandal will make the jobs program difficult to pass, but Nance tells Dave that it is a wonderful idea. Dave tells Ellen that Nance is a good man and he would make a great president. Realizing what is planned, Ellen tells him that she does not want to lose him. The next day in a joint session of Congress, Dave admits to Mitchell's role in the scandal, but introduces evidence proving Bob was the mastermind and Nance is innocent. Bob realizes that Alan has betrayed him. Dave fakes a stroke and makes a switch with the real Mitchell in an ambulance en route to the hospital. Nance becomes Acting President under the terms of the 25th Amendment and is sworn in as President five months later when Mitchell dies. Bob and eight other members of the Mitchell Administration are indicted on 34 charges of law violations and obstruction of justice two days after Dave's jobs initiative passes.
Dave decides to run for city council and Ellen comes to the office to volunteer. As they embrace, Duane stands guard outside the office door.

Tags: romantic, fantasy, satire

Review:
"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.
So rather than do that they decide to keep using the stand-in to maintain the illusion that the president is just fine.Not having suffered the rise to power that many politicians go through Dave isn't blinded by just running things the way they always have been and can see the many wrong decisions that politicians make simply to keep the status quo and, after tiring of simply following the orders of the chief of staff, decides to do what so few US presidents do, and make things better for the working man.To this and the last decade Gary Ross is what Frank Capra was to the thirties and forties, with a variety of feel good films that challenge are ideas about what the world is and what it should be.
Instead the film manages to put itself in the minds of the ordinary Joe, who watches in disbelief at the stupid things that the powers that be spend money on, when so many problems still go on without being addressed at all, with sound bites like "You can't solve problems by throwing money at them" (How come it's only the wealthy that say that?)The performances are all first rate with Kevin Kline magnificent as the idealistic Dave Kovic thrown into the deep end after becoming the leader of the free world, Frank Langella and Alan Reed also excel as the Chief of staff and Chief scriptwriter, with Charles Grodin stealing the scene as the put upon Murray who takes on various people from Dave's temp agency when he is stuck finding work for people elsewhere.
The multi-talented Kevin Kline was excellent in the "double" role, Sigourney Weaver enchanting as the First Lady, Ben Kingsley reliable as ever as the Vice-President, but it was Frank Langella as the WH Chief of Staff who stole the show.
That's when the White House Chief of Staff, Bob (Frank Langella) and the Press Secretary, Alan (Kevin Dunn) convince Dave to stay on.
What makes this message work is the restrained direction of Ivan Reitman, and the subtle, yet honest performance of Kevin Kline (one of the best actors ever).
First you have a great director, Ivan Reitman, then you have a slew of great actors: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Ving Rhames, Ben Kinsley, Charles Grodin and Laura Linney.
Even the notable guest appearances from senators, journalists etc.That makes it for me one of my all time favorite movies, is the heart of its characters, especially Dave.It's all about doing the right thing.Unfortunately almost never good people reach the highest offices.
An escapist fantasy film, where a Walter Mitty style dream of suddenly being given the chance and the means to heroically make the world a better place for everyone is explored.When an ordinary every-man look-alike to the president is asked to briefly pose as the chief executive, he reluctantly agrees to the put-on.
Things get complicated because the real president suffers a debilitating stroke, and the poser is asked to maintain the deception for national security reasons by a corrupt power mongering chief-of-staff.Kevin Kline does an excellent job as the innocent who finds he is a modern day Mr. Smith going to Washington, encountering scandals and corruption going on at these levels.
Certainly this is a wildly idealistic premise, but it works.Political insiders are the baddies, the rest of us are the good guys, represented by Dave (a great acting performance by Kevin Kline).
"Dave" is actually a remake of a movie originally filmed a few decades ago, but the knock on remakes hardly applies to this film.A strong cast and a heart warming story provide entertainment value throughout this movie, and Kevin Kline's dual role as the corrupt President and the struggling employment agency owner is another in the long list of examples of his versatility."Dave" makes you wish that a dose of common sense could actually enter into the picture in our federal government, but of course that element of the film makes it the biggest fantasy effort of all time.
It tells a story about Dave who becomes president.The story is exciting but light hearted and a pleasure to watch I would recommend this film to any one who enjoys good quality, feel good movies and any age.
Kevin Kline gives one of his best performance since his Oscar winning role as Otto from "A Fish Called Wanda" and Frank Langella plays a fantastic corrupted villain.
The arrogant and malevolent Chief of Staff, played by the Frank Langella, has ideological differences with the Vice President and decides to pull the rug on him so he cons the American people, including the Congress and the press corps, into accepting a lookalike who he can control.
We all miss her.Although Dave is mostly light-hearted and enjoyable, there is a serious aspect to it: It portrays the seedy underside of D.C. politics, in particular, those of the executive branch: Can chiefs-of-staff, prominent aides-de-camp or lobbyists for "foreign" governments really run the show, with the president being just a figure-head?
Could a coup take place by events similar to those in Dave?Not exactly, but it is worth thinking about.The scene where Klein (as the president) sits and talks with a boy in a homeless shelter was excellent, as was Weaver's well-reserved show of support for it.The ending is ingenious and unexpected.
Ivan Reitman directed this winning comedy that stars Kevin Kline as Dave, a temp agency manager who just so happens to be a dead ringer for the President.
In order to avoid scandal(and save his career) White House Chief Of Staff Bob Alexander(played by Frank Langella) persuades Dave to continue the impersonation, but doesn't count on Dave enjoying his new "job", and becoming quite popular with the public as a result of his new policies!
Aside from Kline and Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella and Kevin Dunn give excellent portrayals of White House insiders.
This is one of Kevin Klines funniest roles playing the ordinary Joe Dave Kovic who has the appearance that resembles the president.
When Dave takes on the role of the president and and has to take on the life that the president left behind for him like the first lady played by Sigourney Weaver who hated him.
Kevin Kline puts on a great performance as Dave, a regular guy working at a temp agency who is forced to impersonate the president who has just suffered a massive heart attack that leaves him in a coma.
He even puts the spell on the suspecting first lady, played very well by Sigourney Weaver.Other great performances include Ving Rhames as the president's body guard who doesn't show much emotion towards the impersonator but later admits the value he has for the man.
Kevin Kline is excellent in both roles as Dave Kovic and President Bill Mitchell.
Common man Kevin Kline is brilliant in this film, and Sigourney Weaver is the perfect complement to this character.
When this movie opened in early 1993, it was considered a parable for Bill Clinton taking over the presidency from George Bush: Dave, an idealistic newcomer with liberal ideas who just happens to be a presidential lookalike, is brought in to replace President Bill Mitchell (who looks suspiciously like Bush) when Mitchell goes into a coma.
KEVIN KLINE/AND SIGOURNEY WEAVER outdo this Ivan Reitman Film when the President needs a double to fill in for more serious engagement of White House duty.Only what seems to be a more temporary fill in of excutive authority,turns out to be the whole ball of wax,and for an even more serious look at the nations problems.Its enjoyable,witty,funny,charming,and well deserving a ten!.
Dave is a throwback to those old school soap operas, and Reitman and company pull it off with gusto.Replace Stewart and Arthur with excellent modern actors Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver.
Be sure to lookout for the scenes where Dave visits the children's home and where the president's wife discovers Dave in the shower -- Jimmy Stewart himself would have been proud of the performances.I have nothing against pushing the envelope in the American cinema, but too often filmmakers are so hell-bent on making the "next big thing" they ignore the timeless qualities that got people interested in movies in the first place: engaging story and characters you actually care about.
Regardless of the politics of Hollywood, few people would have come to this film looking for anything in the way of social or political comment but rather a rather cosy comedy with the usual liberal idealism (we would all like to think we would change things for the better if we got in power  but the realities of the world mean few can in any significant way).
President Bill Mitchell (Kevin Kline) is a hard man who has a disgruntle relationship with his wife Ellen (Sigourney Weaver).
Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) runs a temp agency who also does impersonations of the president.
Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella, Ving Rhames, and Kevin Dunn all provide great support.
Now, why the meanie prez picked the goody VP is never explained -- but it doesn't matter, as long as things can fall into place for that tacked-on, absurd happy ending that is so dear to commercial filmmakers.Yet, despite its many flaws (including some awful, overbearing music), "Dave" is a movie worth watching because it offers Kevin Kline in top form.
This feel-good political movie is ridiculously preposterous so you have to be ready to go along with the story....knowing it is so far-fetched it's laughable (someone faking being the President of the United States and getting away with it).There's also the normal Liberal slant, of course.
The real-life Democrats in the film are all good guys while the lone real-life Republican pictured, Sen. Alan Simpson, comes on like a bad guy with his comments.Kevin Kline plays a likable lead character.
Kline also plays President William Harrison Mitchell, and it is his resemblance that brings him to the attention of the head of the White House staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella - a very good performance) and the Communication Director Alan Reed (Kevin Dunn).
Dave is a 1993 comedy directed by Ivan Reitman (of Ghostbusters fame) and starring Kevin Kline who plays Dave Kovic, a man who has an uncanny resemblance to the president of the United States, Bill Mitchell, and is put in his place after he enters a coma.This is a feel-good movie about a simple man who takes a huge role as the leader of USA, and with his generous and kind spirit tries to change things a little for the better as much as he can.
Frank Langella plays Bob Alexander, the chief of staff, and even though he does a great job acting in this movie, his character sometimes feels too much like a cartoonish villain.
Additionally Ben Kingsley, as always gives the movie much needed heft as Vice President making his one precious scene the nutritious part of Dave's candy coated political message.I once read an article that bemoaned the political satires of the Bush administration nostalgic for those of the Clinton years.
Despite the Chief of Staff's manipulative efforts, Dave eventually finds he has his own ideas as to presidential policy, not to mention the fact that he also finds himself attracted to the neglected First Lady.Kevin Kline is convincing as both the uninspiring President Mitchell and the endearing, friendly, hard working, and well intended Dave, who finds himself in quite an unsettling position, until he comes to grips with power struggles within the White House.
Signourey Weaver is equally competent as the sophisticated but ill treated First Lady (Ellen Mitchell), Frank Langella as the conniving Chief of Staff, and Ben Kingsley as the honest and decent Vice President, Murray Blum.This movie isn't attempting to make much of a serious statement, other than looking into something many people might wonder...what policies they themselves, ordinary citizens, would bring about if only they had the opportunity to sit in the Oval Office.
The real entertainment starts when the look-alike begins acting like a President and his "handlers" Frank Langella (as a menacing Secretary of State) and Kevin Dunn (as spineless White House communications director)scramble to keep him in line.
When the ruthless White House chief-of-staff (Langella) cons a temporary employment agency operator (the title character, played by Kline) into impersonating the critically ill President (also Kline), they both discover that the man can grow into the role.Kevin Kline is one of my favorite actors, and I enjoyed his portrayal of a man who has never really grown up, yet whose child-like characteristics make him a finer person than most politicians.
With this performance he puts a face to one of his character's lines: "You don't really know how much you can do until you stand up and decide to try."Ving Rhames, Frank Langella, Charles Grodin, Kevin Dunn and Ben Kingsley turn in fantastic supporting roles in one of my 10 favorite films..
A very nice movie with good acting.Very Englishman Ben Kingsley incredibly miscast as American Vice President (remember he was the one who played Gandhi), Frank Langella excellent as the Nemesis and Ving Rhames as secret agent protecting the president.
Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver were very convincing as the first couple, and so was Frank Langella as the humorless Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander.
The movie stars Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, and Frank Langella.
The movie gets going when Dave (Kevin Kline) starts to pretend to be the president.
Kline is great as the ordinary guy asked to play President as well as the actual President, Sigourney Weaver is good as the bitter First Lady and Ving Rhames is perfect as the hard-core tough guy Secret Service agent.
I didn't believe a single minute of Ivan Reitman's amusing comedy "Dave," but I sure wanted to and I sure did have a fun time pretending to.Kevin Kline plays Dave, a social worker who shares startling similar looks with that of the President of the United States, a grumpy, greedy meiser.
Kevin Kline does well doubling as the ailing president and the man who takes his place, Dave.
Sigourney Weaver is excellent as the First Lady and Frank Langella also has a good turn as the Machiavellian White House Chief of Staff.
All they need is a look-alike.This is where jovial,fair-minded employment agency head Dave Kovic(Kevin Kline,also playing the President)enters.
This is a great movie, that somewhat plays in the tune of Capras successes like Mr. Deeds goes to Town or Mr. Smith goes to Washington, where however "Dave" sneaks to the presidency by means of being on duty as a body double, while the real president is in action with his very personal secretary and hit by a stroke.
Perfectly cast except for a overplaying Robert Langela with Kevin Kline, Charles Grodin, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsly, Ving Rhames and with a twist at the end, that is played out perfectly.
In the real world, this would overwhelm a person, but Kevin Kline finds it a simple thing, thanks to his sleazy Chief of Staff, Frank Langella at his most unctuous.A fairly lightweight movie, Dave manages to avoid questions about the majesty of the office, and deals mainly in rom-com situations.
It doesn't seem too preachy for its subject matter at least, for example, compared to earlier films such as "Born Yesterday" or "Protocol" but it does get its message across.Kevin Kline ably plays the dual roles of President Bill Mitchell and his lookalike and stand-in, Dave Kovic, who runs a temporary agency which tries to find jobs for people.
Sigourney Weaver is the liberal First Lady and Ving Rhames is excellent as a secret service man who's job it is to protect the president.The plot is good and keeps things humming along nicely and the direction by Ivan Reitman is more than adequate.The real politicians and celebrities in cameos work admirably in this context and the DVD extras are brief but helpful.
After all, this is a movie review, not a political commentary piece.)Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver have an undeniable chemistry and are straight out of the old school romantic comedies of the '30s and '40s, more so than in any film from the last 40 years.
This is a great movie starring Kevin Kline & Sigourney Weaver.
What else do you expect from a Hollywood movie that stars Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline?
What else do you expect from a Hollywood movie that stars Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline?
So, instead, this light comedy is a pleasant what-if story.Kevin Kline plays the double role of President Bill Mitchell and an exact look-alike, Dave Kovic.
The film also features Kevin Kline in one of the best performances of his career, playing the likable Dave; hired to replace the not-so likable Mitchell.
Kevin Klein is great in a double role as Dave Kovic, an honest guy who genuinely enjoys finding people badly-needed work through his temp agency, and as Bill Mitchell, the stereotypical heartless political animal who serves as president despite not seeming to care about anything but his own career.
As a comedy and light drama it works perfectly fine, with likable supporting characters (aside from Bob Alexander) and the fun fantasy of a plot works perfectly well to keep the audience interested as we are bombarded with all of the amazing aspects of life as (impostor) president.Don't expect a brilliant indictment of Washington politics, just expect a fun movie with some good chuckles, and Dave is definitely worth your time..
Cinematography is good.Now to the performances: Kevin Kline is effective as 'Dave'.
Kevin Kline is superb in a dual role and the supporting cast is as good as it gets for comedy.