Is Dave Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Dave is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 110 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Dave Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1993, Dave emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of 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. Unlike standard genre fare, Dave attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
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?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Dave (1993) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Dave Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Dave is a Comedy film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
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 film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags 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. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Dave Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: 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, 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 the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Dave Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of Dave
- Kevin Kline – Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell
- Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Mitchell
- Frank Langella – Bob Alexander
- Kevin Dunn – Alan Reed
- Ving Rhames – Duane Stevenson
Top Highlights
Kevin KlineDave Kovic / Bill Mitchell
Sigourney WeaverEllen Mitchell
Frank LangellaBob Alexander
Kevin DunnAlan Reed
Ving RhamesDuane Stevenson
Ben KingsleyVice-President Nance
Charles GrodinMurray Blum
Faith PrinceAlice
Laura LinneyRandi
Bonnie HuntWhite House Tour Guide
Where to Watch Dave Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
Dave is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.6/10, and global collection metrics, Dave stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1993 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dave movie hit or flop?
Dave has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Dave worth watching?
Dave is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Dave online?
Dave may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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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.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
