Dave
Performance & Direction: Dave Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Dave (1993) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dave features a noteworthy lineup led by Kevin Kline . Supported by the likes of Sigourney Weaver and Frank Langella , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Dave
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1993, Dave is a Comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kevin Kline.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A sweet-natured Temp Agency operator and amateur Presidential look-alike is recruited by the Secret Service to become a temporary stand-in for the President of the United States. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Kevin Kline's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Dave
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Ivan Reitman, Dave concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Kevin Kline, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dave reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dave?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kevin Kline or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Dave
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $28.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $92.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Dave Budget
The estimated production budget for Dave is $28.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Dave
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Where to Watch Dave Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeDave Parents Guide & Age Rating
1993 AdvisoryWondering about Dave age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Dave is 110 minutes (1h 50m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Dave is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1993 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dave worth watching?
Dave is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Dave parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Dave identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Dave?
The total duration of Dave is 110 minutes, which is approximately 1h 50m long.
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Critic Reviews for Dave
A lovely romantic comedy in that true eighties style. A little charmer of a movie starring the ever-watchable Kevin Kline. I'll admit I'm pretty old-fashioned and, even in today's evil world, I cling to the hope there are still good-hearted people out there somewhere. This is one of those movies keeping that hope alive. Let the soft side of you out and enjoy this film.
Kevin Kline is “Dave”, an unassuming fellow who is recruited by the Secret Service to double for the President of the USA whilst he goes for some extracurricular horizontal jogging. It’s a simple task. Turn up, smile, wave, don’t speak - then get in the car! Well that’s the theory, but when the actual president gets a bit too carried away with his activities, he ends up in a coma and “Dave” with a slightly longer booking in the Oval Office. It turns out that the First Couple aren’t especially close, so ambitiously ruthless Chief of Staff “Bob” (Frank Langella) decides that so long as he can keep this predicament secret for long enough, he can manoeuvre himself into pole position for the succession. First Lady “Ellen” (Sigourney Weaver) is no fool though and she quickly spots a change in her now charming, friendly and clever husband. Now, think “Man in the Iron Mask”, only this mask is one of public relations as she and “Dave” start to realise the potential for themselves and their country from this situation. As he does so often, Langella steals his scenes - especially as the plot thickens and his lucidity comes into comedy question, but there are also quite a fun series of scenes from Ben Kingsley as the hapless VP “Nance” and from Ving Rhames as his no-nonsense body guard. There’s plenty of fun chemistry between Weaver and Kline as it rolls along and by the end, you are definitely rooting for the little guy.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
