 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dave
- Review Date: June 14, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Pleasant comedy for older kids and up.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is mild swearing and some nudity, including a shower scene and a sex scene during which one character has a stroke, though both people are almost fully covered by the bedding.
What's the story?
In DAVE, Kevin Kline stars in dual roles as President Bill Mitchell and a temp agency owner named Dave Kovic. When the President has a massive stroke that leaves him in a vegetative state, his Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella), convinces Dave to play the part. Whereas President Bill Mitchell was corrupt and nasty with a well-crafted political façade, Dave genuinely cares and wants to help people. This leads him to lock horns with Alexander, whose real agenda is to implicate the Vice President in a scandal and have "President Dave" nominate him the new VP just before pretending to have a second, fatal stroke. Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) is the estranged First Lady who enjoys using her role to be of service to the needy, despite the lack of love in her marriage. She eventually catches on to the ruse and with her help, Dave is able to set things right and the two of them find romance along the way.
Is it any good?
Dave is a cute movie, but everything works out very tidily, which leaves threads and nuances missing from the storyline. The characters are sometimes Disney-like in their simplicity, though not as much fun. In fact, the talented Kevin Kline plays Dave with such simplicity that he brings to mind Wilbur Post from TV's Mr. Ed. When Ben Kingsley, who plays Vice President Nance, shows up toward the end of the film, he adds a depth and presence that make him (or everyone else) appear to be in the wrong movie.
Mild critiques aside, if you're looking for an enjoyable, easy-to-watch movie, Dave is worth your time. It's uplifting and plays to the fantasy of the everyman and everywoman who thinks they could make a real difference in this country if only they had the chance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what they would do if they suddenly found themselves President of the United States. What would you do differently than the current President and what would you do the same? Who is your favorite President in history? Why? What do you think makes a strong leader?
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AGE
good movie, very sweet and funny. It's a nice break from all these action/romance/dramasI've been watching lately. It's really not that innapropriate, and without the awful sex scene it could have easily been PG. But it isn't so dont let anyone under ten see it. they wouldn't understand it anyways, so yeah. Good movie I highly recommend it.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 26, 2012
AGE
If I was working for MPAA this is what I would rate Dave
My MPAA rating is PG-13 for sexual content, sensuality, momentary language and some brief nudity
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| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Ivan Reitman |
| Cast: | Ben Kingsley, Charles Grodin, Frank Langella, Kevin Kline, Laura Linney, Sigourney Weaver, Ving Rhames |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 28, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | April 28, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mild swearing and some nudity |
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