Daveis a kind of updated “The Prince and the Pauper” tale with a local Temp Agency manager being called in by the government to act as a Presidential look-alike for a short assignment. Just walk to the limo, wave, get in, and everything’s finished. Except… it isn’t. While performing extracurricular (and extra-marital) activities, the real president suffers a serious stroke ad Dave is called upon to play the role of President for much longer than he’d intended.
Guided by Chief of Staff Bob Alexander and his assistant Alan Reed, Dave finds himself increasingly unhappy with the things he is being asked to do – and that are being done in his name without his knowledge. He is also unhappy with the fact that the First Lady hates him (this makes Bob and Alan happy though, as it shows that she’s also been fooled into thinking he’s really her husband). Things get heated as he tries to improve his relationship with her, explain away his absence to those who know him in real life, and avoid being the puppet of Alexander, who has his own motives for not wanting Vice-President Nance taking over. Added to this, Dave tries to inject some humour into his bodyguard Duane. When Dave starts making personal appearances his presidential popularity soars, as he presents an image much different to the man he’s impersonating. However, as with all things political, things are much more complicated than they first seem and Dave has a past not of his own making that could come back to haunt him…
This is a wonderful comedy with excellent performances and a continually witty and clever script. Kevin Kline as Dave gives a wonderful performance, and is ably matched by First Lady Sigourney Weaver. Those two could easily carry the film themselves but there are also star turns by Frank Langella (Box Alexander), Kevin Dunn (Alan Reed), and Charles Grodin as Dave’s buddy Murray, who takes time out from his job to cut 650 million dollars from treasury expenses. Ving Rhames is effective as surly bodyguard Duane Stevenson. There’s not a bad performance in the shop and this is probably Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Evolution)’s best film – at least that I’ve seen. He focuses on the dialogue and actors with the lack of goo compared to his other films, and it works wonders. Gary Ross’ writing plays a huge part in making this such an enjoyable film, and the musical score by James Newton Howard complements the action perfectly. There are a host of cameo appearances, some of who I recognised but probably all / most of whom will be familiar to American viewers. Often having many cameo appearances is a bad sign but it really works in this film.
There’s really hardly anything about this film I didn’t like. It’s funny, clever, has a good message that doesn’t get in the way of the film itself, and has a great cast. Very highly recommended.
Other Information
Rating: Pg-13 / 12 for some language and one sex scene (but you don’t see anything and it is actually integral to the plot). I’m not even sure it would be a 12 in the UK these days, probably a PG. There’s very little offensive content at any rate.
Length: 110 minutes – not a second too long!
Gary Ross’s script was nominated for an Oscar, but was beaten to the post by Jane Campion for “The Piano”. Charles Grodin won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.
Quotes
Dave in the shower, getting used to his newfound power by singing…
“Hail to the chief / He's the one we all say "Hail" to. / We all say "Hail" / 'Cause he keeps himself so clean! / He's got the power, / That's why he's in the shower...”
Dave trying to explain why he’s going to be away from the office for a while – a new love…
“She's great. She's really exotic! She's a princess! She's Polynesian - well, half Polynesian, and half American. She's... Amnesian.”
Dave tries to get to the softer side of his bodyguard…
Dave: You ever think about wearing a sweater? Make you blend in more.
Duane: Sweaters make my neck look too thick.
Dave: Even a sweater vest? You could wear a tie.
Duane: You think a sweater vest would look good on me?
(There are a lot of other great quotes, but it’s hard finding ones that don’t give away key plot elements and others aren’t that funny out of context, so that’s your lot for
now. Just watch the film for the others! :-D)
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