DAVE

US, 1993, 110 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella, Ving Rhames, Charles Grodin, Laura Linney.
Directed by Ivan Reitman.

Dave is a film of the early '90s which indicates that they still made films `like they used to'. This film is very reminiscent of James Stewart in Mr Smith Goes to Washington and the many films which were in its tradition. It is a pleasant star vehicle for Kevin Kline, much less manic than in his roles in such films as A Fish Called Wanda and I Love You to Death. Sigourney Weaver is more subdued, also, as the president's wife. Frank Langella makes a very good villain. There are a number of guest roles and cameos including Charles Grodin as Kline's friend and live appearances from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Leno, Oliver Stone and a great number of serving American politicians.

The film is also a serious comedy for recession times of the early '80s with a focus on unemployment. Kline portrays a selfish president as well as the genial Dave who is hired for an evening to take his place and who, eventually, has to take on his role.

There is a heart-on-sleeve optimism of the liberal kind about the heart-warming approach that Dave takes to his job - and a critique of the economic rationalism of the '80s. The film was directed by Ivan Reitman, best known for the Ghostbuster films as well as the Schwarzenegger vehicles Twins and Kindergarten Cop. This film is more in the vein of his legal murder mystery, Legal Eagles, with Robert Redford and Debra Winger.

1. The tradition of Mr Smith Goes to Washington, liberal perspectives, heart-on-sleeve optimism, a film for the recession and for times of unemployment.

2. The Washington locations, the White House, the interiors? The musical score?

3. The title and its ordinariness? Yet the film with the real-life politicians - as well as the personalities and the film stars?

4. The president, self-preoccupied, his work with Bob Alexander and Allen, his disdain of the public? The cold relationship with Ellen? His attitude towards Dave and his taking his place? The secretary, the stroke? His being kept alive - his final death and burial? His political stances, manipulated by Bob, by Allen?

5. The contrast with Dave and his concern about jobs, working with Murray, persuasive at getting people with jobs? Going home and finding the Secret Service? Agreeing to the task, being groomed like the president, practising his performance? His impersonation, the public response, saying words when told not to?

6. Their persuading him to stay and be president, the argument about going through the red light to save one's mother, saving the nation? His being coached, words put in his mouth - especially in relationship with Ellen? The excuse of the stroke for his mistakes? His change, pleasant attitude, rapport with people, visits, baseball? The reaction of the media and the comments on his change? (And the spoofs of media programs?)

7. Bob and Allen and their manipulation of Dave? Dave and his beginning to see through Bob, Bob and his lust for power, control, disdain of ordinary people? The contrast with Allen and his humanist speeches? The threat about the financial scandal? Sending the vice-president away, circulating rumours? Dave and his discovery of the truth about Bob, the confrontation and his firing him? Bob exposing the president to the public, the television and the inquiries, the crowd with Bob, his being exposed?

8. Allen as speech writer, loyalty to Bob, manipulation, admiration of Dave, change, helping him to expose Bob?

9. The Secret Service man, his loyalty to Dave - helping him see the president, with Ellen - and the finale?

10. Ellen - her relationship with the president, hard, her beginning to notice differences, in the car, with the children and Dave and his magic tricks, her anger when hearing the budget was cut? The trick question to find out who he was, her introduction? Assisting him at presidential functions? Going out with him - and his having to impersonate the president for the police - and their not thinking she did a good job? The decision to leave? Admiration for the vice president, the plan? The attack, the stroke, the funeral? Her arriving to volunteer to work with Dave?

11. Maurie, his company, friendship with Dave, not believing him about being president, helping with the budget cuts?

12. Dave and his success, the image of a president, relation with kids, cutting the budget, the bonds with Ellen, the accusations - and his discovering they were true? Meeting the vice-president, talking things over? The plan?

13. The vice-president, on tour, his story, the shoe shop, a man of integrity, his taking over as president?

14. The Congress sequences, the confession, the long speech - and the acknowledgment of responsibilities?

15. A political American film of the '90s with its heart on its sleeve?