Dave
A kindhearted temp worker becomes an accidental presidential double and discovers that decency can thrive inside a corrupt White House.
Overview
A charming temp agency operator unexpectedly finds himself in the highest office of the land, bringing a fresh perspective to politics.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- lazy sunday
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Ivan Reitman's earnest, intelligent political comedy for its charming script, breezy direction, and Kevin Kline's understated central performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dave uses his unexpected presidential authority to pursue practical improvements while Bob Alexander manipulates the office for personal advancement.
Temp agency operator Dave Kovic is forced to perform the presidency and gradually brings his ordinary compassion into the White House.
Dave visibly replaces President Bill Mitchell while the Secret Service and White House staff maintain the deception.
Dave's growing affection for First Lady Ellen Mitchell develops within the cover-up surrounding the president's condition.
Films like Dave, and why
Being There
shares a warm fish out of water premise, political satire, and an ordinary person navigating unexpected public power
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
shares romantic comedy, civic idealism, and a decent outsider challenging entrenched political interests
The Man in the White Suit
shares body-double comedy, mistaken identity, and breezy political farce
The Prisoner of Zenda
shares an earnest romantic comedy tone, doppelgänger premise, and institutional deception
Movie Details
- Director
- Ivan Reitman
- Release Date
- 1993-05-07
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (868)
Cast
- Kevin Kline
- Sigourney Weaver
- Frank Langella
- Kevin Dunn
- Ving Rhames
- Ben Kingsley
- Charles Grodin
- Faith Prince
- Laura Linney
- Bonnie Hunt
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dave about?
- A kindhearted temp worker becomes an accidental presidential double and discovers that decency can thrive inside a corrupt White House.
- What is Dave like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dave as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dave violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Dave.
- What did critics think of Dave?
- Critics broadly praised Ivan Reitman's earnest, intelligent political comedy for its charming script, breezy direction, and Kevin Kline's understated central performance.
- Which films are like Dave?
- Films with a similar feel include Being There, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Man in the White Suit, and The Prisoner of Zenda.
- How long is Dave?
- Dave runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dave?
- In United States, Dave streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
