Okay folks, many of you like me are
experiencing post-election shock, disbelief and stress. Some of you may be
quite happy with the results of the election but, nevertheless, worn out from
all the political wrangling and mudslinging. So, in either event I have just
the movie cure for you . It’s a political fantasy with Rom-Com thrown in. A
1993 movie that is one of the best feel-good movies about a President.. The
movie is “Dave”.
You’ll have to search for it but I assure you
that it’s worth the effort .
DAVE 4.0****
Director Ivan
Reitman's "Dave" is a movie so idealist and well-meaning that it'll
warm the hearts of even the most cynical Americans.
Kevin Kline plays Dave Kovic, a small-town guy with a big heart who runs an employment agency. Dave's also a dead ringer for President Bill Mitchell and finds himself hired to stand in for Mitchell for a social event but after the commander-in-chief suffers a stroke during an extramarital fling with a secretary, Dave is asked to continue the charade. The naive idealist finds himself confronted by an administration entrenched in corruption and an embittered First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). And it doesn't take long for Washington to notice the changes in the no-longer-a-bad guy Bill Mitchell, as Dave sets out to use his power to make the country a better place ... while falling in love with Mrs. Mitchell.
"Dave" makes no bones about its politics (which are worn on its sleeve), yet all ideology in this case is irrelevant. It's a story that puts the non-politician and an average guy in the shoes of the most powerful man in the world ( this happily being an appreciative nod to Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"). Such an endeavor (especially with the extreme rhetoric of current politics) is nothing short of refreshing. Which is no doubt helped by the light-hearted romantic comedy nature of the film. Kline is at his most endearing in this double role, Weaver her most charming, and the supporting cast (Kevin Dunn, Ben Kingsley Frank Langella, Ving Rhames and Charles Grodin) is incredible.
Kevin Kline plays Dave Kovic, a small-town guy with a big heart who runs an employment agency. Dave's also a dead ringer for President Bill Mitchell and finds himself hired to stand in for Mitchell for a social event but after the commander-in-chief suffers a stroke during an extramarital fling with a secretary, Dave is asked to continue the charade. The naive idealist finds himself confronted by an administration entrenched in corruption and an embittered First Lady (Sigourney Weaver). And it doesn't take long for Washington to notice the changes in the no-longer-a-bad guy Bill Mitchell, as Dave sets out to use his power to make the country a better place ... while falling in love with Mrs. Mitchell.
"Dave" makes no bones about its politics (which are worn on its sleeve), yet all ideology in this case is irrelevant. It's a story that puts the non-politician and an average guy in the shoes of the most powerful man in the world ( this happily being an appreciative nod to Frank Capra's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"). Such an endeavor (especially with the extreme rhetoric of current politics) is nothing short of refreshing. Which is no doubt helped by the light-hearted romantic comedy nature of the film. Kline is at his most endearing in this double role, Weaver her most charming, and the supporting cast (Kevin Dunn, Ben Kingsley Frank Langella, Ving Rhames and Charles Grodin) is incredible.
Finally,
Director Reitman helps the audience fall for the plot. He makes it so
believable, honest and true. In the end, the audience will realize that
politics will not mend our nation, but rather honest people will. In any case
of all the movies about the President, this is one of the best one.
"Dave" is indeed the right movie for post-election
2016…. a political parody done just right. If you haven't seen Dave, you must
watch it. And if you have, watch it again. And again. And again. You will enjoy
it every time. Unless, perhaps, you are a crooked/bad politician.
Clark
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