Review of Dave (1993) by Peter P — 30 Dec 2012

Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Gary Ross (Big (1988), Pleasantville (1998)), this is a funny and warm political comedy which is original and biting. It could have been made 100 different ways, but it's good that Reitman and Ross picked an angle that manages to work perfectly.

It's still relevant now, and it stands as the best film Frank Capra never made, as he would have killed for it's plot. In Washington D.C. Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) runs a temporary employment agency, but also impersonates President Bill Mitchell (also Kline) on the side.

Dave's impersonation of Mitchell is spotted by Secret Service agent Duane Stevensen (Ving Rhames), and Dave is called up to impersonate Mitchell to take the focus off an affair Mitchell is having.

However, when Mitchell suffers a massive stroke, Dave is called up to impersonate Mitchell full time. Which Dave is able to do, and he has a different personality to Mitchell, but the American public is non the wiser, but Mitchell's estranged wife, First Lady Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) learns the truth.

It's a good film, with some brilliant dialogue and a good look at the cutthroat world of American politics. Kline has great fun in the dual role, and he's complimented by a good supporting cast including Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Charles Grodin and Ben Kingsley.