DAVE
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
Rating: 9.1 (A, ***1/2)
Date Released: 5/7/93 Running Length: 1:54 Rated: PG-13 (Mature themes, discreet nudity)
Starring: Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Ving Rhames, Ben Kingsley Director: Ivan Reitman Producers: Lauren Shuler-Donner and Ivan Reitman Screenplay: Gary Ross Music: James Newton-Howard Released by Warner Brothers
Bill Mitchell (Kevin Kline) is the forty-forth President of the United States. On a night when he wants to engage in an away-from-the-office fling with one of his female assistants, he arranges for Dave (also played by Kevin Kline), his virtual double, to impersonate him. Unfortunately, during the course of his night of passion, the President has a massive stroke that leaves him in a coma. Two of his aides (Frank Langella and Kevin Dunn), unwilling to give up the power they have amassed during Mitchell's term, persuade Dave to stay on and continue his masquerade for an undetermined period of time. He agrees and his subsequent performance is good enough to fool even the First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). Problems begin, however, when Dave starts to act like a leader--and a compassionate one at that--instead of the puppet that his Chief of Staff wants him to be.
As far as Hollywood is concerned, Ivan Reitman has the Midas Touch. Not only do his films deliver big laughs to the audience, but they bring in lots of money to the production companies. His string of hits is impressive, including such titles as ANIMAL HOUSE (which he produced but did not direct), GHOSTBUSTERS I and II (produced and directed), TWINS (produced and directed), and KINDERGARTEN COP (produced and directed). He was also responsible for last years profitable-but-moronic animal film BEETHOVEN.
DAVE is a departure for Reitman. The comedy of this film takes a more adult path than anything he's done in the past. Nevertheless, DAVE is proof that predictable movies with only a marginally original premise can still be tremendous fun. Reitman, along with screenwriter Gary Ross (BIG), have fashioned a highly-enjoyable, fresh, and energetic motion picture that even the most hard-bitten cynic would be hard-pressed to condemn. DAVE isn't just a good movie; it's an excellent one.
For the most part, the comedy in DAVE works, due in part to the performances of a cast of veterans. Kevin Kline shows a marvelous sense of comic timing and delivery, Sigourney Weaver does a good job playing her role straight, Frank Langella is perfectly over-the-top as the "frothing at the mouth" villain, and Ving Rhames delivers a deadpan performance as a no-nonsense Secret Service Agent.
There's time for a political message or two, but these are all kept low-key and never allowed to interfere with the pacing of the film. DAVE is first and foremost a comedy, and drama is only allowed to interfere on those rare occasions when it's absolutely needed.
The list of cameos for this film range from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Tip O'Neil, with about three dozen Washington insiders, celebrities, and Senators in between. What THE PLAYER did for Hollywood, DAVE does for America's capital. Larry King and Jay Leno have appearances, and Oliver Stone gets to poke fun at his image by pontificating about a conspiracy he senses to be brewing at the summit of the United States' governmental pyramid.
DAVE is a film that is so well-crafted that its obvious shortcomings are easily overlooked. Likeability overcomes originality. This isn't a movie where we want a twisty, complex plot filled with unexpected revelations. The familiar territory of DAVE's story is perfect for the subject matter. Just a shade away from following a formula, the film is comfortable without ever being dull. DAVE is pure, unfettered entertainment--something that's been all-too-rare on movie screens thus far in 1993.
- James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
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