Dave (1993)

How sad is this?

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Fun movie. Just don't think about the impossibilities. Secret Service breaking the law to hide the switch after the stroke. Doing it for an affair is one thing, making Dave President is another. All the staff who kept the switch secret. Too many people involved to keep it quiet. Doubles are not exactly alike, except in movies, TV, or books. In President's Cabinet scene where Dave is restoring money for homeless shelters, he is breaking the Constitution. Presidents can't just move money around at will since each department has its own appropriation. Congress would have to vote to rescind money from one department's appropriation and vote a supplemental appropriation to the gaining department. This would normally take months.

The tagline, "In a country where anybody can become President, anybody just did" was probably funnier before November 2016.Dave is a cute dramedy about an ordinary guy who finds himself posing as the POTUS. 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. Ivan Reitman is -- probably correctly -- making this a lightweight fluff piece, and not a deep politico-social statement. Kline and Weaver make it work without heavy lifting, and it's an enjoyable, non-taxing diversion for two hours. Think House of Cards without the angst.

Dave (1993): Dir: Ivan Reitman / Cast: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Ving Rhames, Kevin Dunn: Wonderful film with Kevin Kline portraying the United States President as well as a caring look-alike who helps people find jobs. This man is Dave and he impersonates the President for fun but when the real President suffers a stroke while in the midst of an affair Dave is brought in to duplicate him. The greedy and corrupt chief of staff wishes to avoid the worthy Vice-President stepping in. Dave accepts this position but notices cold vibes from the First Lady as well as great wrongs in priorities and sets out to make a difference. Director Ivan Reitman makes the film surprising and pleasant. This is quite different from previous films he has directed such as Ghostbusters and Stripes. Kline engages viewers with two roles while Sigourney Weaver is smart as the First Lady. Rather than surrender to tacky romantic clichés the screenplay renders their relationship intelligent and witty. Frank Langella is superb as the ruthless chief of staff in what could have been just a standard villain. Ving Rhames plays a bodyguard advocating duty and honor. Again the role avoids standard clichés for sincerity. Kevin Dunn plays the Communications Director who ends up having a chance of heart when he realizes that Dave is a good man. About the difference one can make if he believes enough in the truth. Score: 10 / 10

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. One day, after impersonating the President at a luncheon, he finds himself stuck in the part after the real President has a stroke while having an affair with an aide... 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! Of course, this can't last forever, and a plan is put forward to save the situation, and stop Bob. Sigourney Weaver plays the First Lady, and Ben Kingsley plays the Vice President. Charming and funny film turns its far-fetched premise to its advantage, and result is most appealing.