Vote for Dave!

Dual Roles Blogathon

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The 2016 Presidential Election has seen some startling developments including the unprecedented non-endorsement of a candidate by USA TODAY. We too have never taken sides in an election. Because this one is like no other, we have decided, after careful consideration, to endorse Dave Kovic for President of the United States!

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A dual role presents a unique opportunity for an actor. Our blogathon host, Christina Wehner writes:

There is something particularly riveting about watching a film where an actor plays more than one role. Ronald Colman in The Prisoner of Zenda, Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap, Michael J. Fox in the three Back to the Future films. Even Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor. It is that combination of technical know-how, make-up, and the sheer skill of an individual actor that produces the peculiar exhilaration one can feel. Cinema is, after all, about role playing and the illusion of reality, an image of reality. What can typify this more than the concept of dual or multiple roles?

last_of_robin_hood-620x346As someone who’s excelled at both drama and comedy, Kevin Kline is ideally suited for a dual role. He’s moved us to tears in Sophie’s Choice (1982) and made us laugh many times in movies like A Fish Called Wanda (1988). He’s also been an important part of ensemble casts in The Big Chill (1983), Silverado (1985) and Grand Canyon (1991). More recently, he even took on Errol Flynn in The Last of Robin Hood (2013). Versatility is a keyword with Kline.

In Ivan Reitman’s romantic comedy Dave (1993), Kline plays the dual role of President Bill Mitchell and Dave Kovic, an impersonator who has an amazing likeness to the President.

President Mitchell confronts his mirror image.

President Mitchell on the right confronts his mirror image.

Secret Service Special Agent Duane Stevenson (Ving Rhames) comes calling. After convincing Dave it’s not about income tax deductions, Duane enlists him as the President’s double for certain events. The ulterior motive is for Mitchell to carry on an affair while the press and public watch Dave. The plan backfires when Mitchell has a stroke. It’s not “a little one” as his handlers tell the press but a near fatal one that leaves him brain-dead.

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The pretender meets the public

There’s a plot hatched by Mitchell’s Chief of Staff Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) to install Dave as puppet president. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s body is hooked up to an iv in the White House basement. It’s the beginning of a wild satire and this isn’t the half of it.
Mitchell doesn’t last long in the movie, but he shows his arrogance and unlike-ability, in contrast to the bike riding nice guy, Dave.

3-dave-dave-kovic-550x350-1Since it’s part of the setup that Dave is an impersonator, it makes sense that he’d have Mitchell’s voice down. He fools the press and public, but can he fool the First Lady? Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) and the President live separate lives within the White House, so it’s possible to pull off. Part of the fun is watching Dave slowly win over Ellen. Because of Mitchell’s history of infidelity, it’s an uphill battle. Dave was released long before the Lewinsky affair. Of course, Governor Clinton’s affairs were well-known so an impending scandal could not have been too difficult for screenwriter Gary Ross to imagine.

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Weaver shows a range of emotions as a bright woman stuck in a prestigious but thankless job.The actress also proves herself adept at comedy and has an infectious chemistry with Kline.

10388-4456Langella seems to relish the part of Bob Alexander. There’s nothing redeemable about Bob, but he’s balanced by Press Secretary Alan Reed, a man of decency played by Kevin Dunn. Laura Linney plays a woman on the White House staff having affair with Mitchell. She fades out once Dave arrives and appears attracted again to his “wife.”

Charles Grodin is Dave’s accountant who helps him balance the national budget. His parting words to Dave are “Get out now!” Speaking of thankless jobs, Sir Ben Kingsley is Vice President Nance, who’s meant as the fall guy in Bob’s scheme to take over.hqdefault

When Oliver Stone appears on the Larry King Show with evidence of a conspiracy and cover-up surrounding the Mitchell Presidency, it looks like the game’s up. But Dave has one last trick to play.

Thanks again to Christina Wehner and Ruth of Silver Screenings for hosting the Dual Roles Blogathon.  Visit them for a recap and a complete listing.