News

Fair warning: the phrase “Capra-esque” might get a real workout in the ensuing review.

Late great comedy director Ivan Reitman’s inventive political comedy Dave (1993), starring Kevin Kline in a dual role as both a sleazy president and his kindhearted regular-guy doppelgänger, stands as a shining beacon of sunny cinematic optimism from a happier time in this country’s history.

Frank Capra, that beloved helmer of movies focused on underdog triumphs during Hollywood’s Golden Age, emerges as a clear influence guiding Reitman through Dave, with a winning script from eventual Pleasantville director Gary Ross. The picture also leans heavily on Mark Twain’s The Prince and The Pauper, in that a regular guy who happens to look a lot like a current political leader is enlisted to switch places with said leader. This time, it’s temp agency owner Dave Kovic (Kline), hired to cover for corrupt and cruel U.

I’d like to begin with an announcement that may come as a surprise to many of you. I’ve asked Bob Alexander to resign as White House Chief of Staff. Over the last few months, Bob and I have come to believe different things. He thinks this country’s fine and should go about doing business as usual. I just don’t feel that way. Not anymore. Because, hey, things aren’t fine. We’ve got so many problems that we don’t even wanna look at them anymore. They just blend together into this great big noise. Pretty …...