Rating: PG13
Genre:
Comedy
Release Date: 04/28/1998
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 110 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Suitable for Children, Profanity
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
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 impersonator. One day, Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes, they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well, but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret, two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme, Bob Alexander (
Frank Langella), hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right-wing political agenda, but after a few weeks "in office," Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell (
Sigourney Weaver), the President's wife, while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago.
Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians, Washington insiders, and journalists;
Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
