Dave (1993) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A civilian impersonator discovers that authentic leadership can challenge a corrupt political succession scheme.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

A Double Steps Forward

Dave's resemblance and comic impersonations lead Duane to recruit him for a presidential appearance. Mitchell's stroke transforms a temporary performance into an emergency national deception.

Key Events

• Dave's Employment Agency — Dave runs a temporary employment agency and maintains his ordinary civilian life. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Murray Blum Location: Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
• The Presidential Impersonation Job — Dave earns money by comically impersonating President Mitchell at public events. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: Washington, D.C.
• Duane Recruits Dave — Duane recruits Dave to stand in for Mitchell after a speech. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Duane Stevenson, Randi Location: Washington, D.C.
• The Speech Substitution — Dave successfully appears as Mitchell while the real president pursues a private meeting. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: Public event venue
• Mitchell Suffers a Stroke — Mitchell suffers a major stroke while having sex with Randi. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Randi Location: Private meeting location

Power Behind the Mask

Bob turns Dave's impersonation into a succession plot, while Alan helps maintain the public story. Dave's popularity grows even as Bob manipulates the administration and targets the Vice President.

Key Events

• Bob Proposes the Deception — Bob asks Dave to continue impersonating Mitchell and presents a succession scheme. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House
• The Minor Stroke Story — Alan tells reporters that Mitchell's stroke was minor, preserving the public deception. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House press area
• The Vice President Is Removed — Bob uses a savings and loan scandal to force the Vice President's resignation. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House
• Dave's Popularity Rises — Dave's charm and enthusiasm improve Mitchell's public image and popularity. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Bob Alexander Location: White House and public events
• The Shelter Visit — Ellen sees Dave show empathy toward a shy boy at the shelter she advocates. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell Location: Homeless shelter

The Shelter and the Secret

Dave's compassion at Ellen's shelter visit changes her view of him, but Bob's forged veto creates a direct moral and political crisis. Dave works with Murray and the Cabinet to restore the funding, prompting Bob to threaten him.

Key Events

• The Forged Veto — Bob forges Mitchell's signature on a veto that removes shelter funding. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Bob Alexander Location: White House
• Murray Finds a Solution — Dave consults Murray about restoring the shelter funding through budget changes. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Murray Blum Location: Dave's office
• The Cabinet Restores Funding — Dave works with the Cabinet to restore shelter funding through cuts and reinvestments. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House Cabinet room
• Bob Threatens Dave — Bob threatens to destroy Dave, while Alan warns that he will expose the scheme. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House
• Ellen Discovers the Impostor — Ellen tricks Dave into admitting the truth and asks to see her husband. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: White House
• The Secret Hospital Room — Ellen sees Mitchell in a coma and learns that he will not recover. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: Secret hospital room beneath the White House

Love Against the Scheme

Ellen discovers that Dave is an impostor and sees the real Mitchell in a hidden hospital room. After learning that Mitchell will not recover, Dave and Ellen spend a night together and begin to fall in love.

Key Events

• The Secret Hospital Room — Ellen sees Mitchell in a coma and learns that he will not recover. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: Secret hospital room beneath the White House
• A Night Away Together — Dave and Ellen spend a night away from the White House and begin falling in love. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell Location: Washington, D.C.
• Dave Fires Bob — Dave fires Bob and dares him to reveal the presidential switch to the press. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: White House press conference
• The Jobs Plan — Dave announces a plan to provide a job to every American who wants one. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: Press conference room

Truth in Congress

Dave fires Bob and announces a national jobs plan, provoking Bob's scandal counterattack. At a joint session of Congress, Dave and Alan expose Bob's responsibility before Dave completes the final switch.

Key Events

• The Jobs Plan — Dave announces a plan to provide a job to every American who wants one. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: Press conference room
• The Scandal Counterattack — Bob reveals evidence against Mitchell, while Alan confirms its truth and Bob seeks presidential support. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: Washington, D.C.
• Congressional Confession — Dave admits the allegations and presents Alan's proof that Bob masterminded the scandal. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Bob Alexander, Alan Reed Location: Joint session of Congress
• The Final Switch — Dave fakes another stroke, switches places with Mitchell, and resumes his former life. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Duane Stevenson Location: White House and hospital

A Civilian Future

The jobs plan becomes law, Bob and other officials are indicted, and Alan remains in government. Dave returns to civilian politics, where Ellen visits him and their relationship begins openly.

Key Events

• The Jobs Plan Becomes Law — The jobs plan becomes law; Bob and several officials are indicted, while Alan serves under the new president. Characters: Bob Alexander, Alan Reed, Murray Blum Location: Washington, D.C.
• The First Kiss — Ellen visits Dave after his city council campaign, and they share their first kiss. Characters: Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell, Ellen Mitchell, Murray Blum, Duane Stevenson Location: Dave's campaign office

Story Breakdown

• Civilian Double — Dave's ordinary work and resemblance create the opportunity to enter presidential politics.
  • Employment Agency — Dave runs a temporary employment agency in Georgetown.
  • Comic Impersonations — Dave impersonates Mitchell at public events for extra money.
• Emergency Substitution — Duane recruits Dave for a temporary presidential appearance, but Mitchell's stroke makes the substitution permanent.
  • Secret Service Recruitment — Duane brings Dave into the presidential impersonation.
  • Mitchell's Stroke — Mitchell becomes incapacitated after meeting Randi.
• Bob's Succession Plot — Bob attempts to use Dave, the Vice President, and Mitchell's condition to seize the presidency.
  • False Medical Story — Alan tells the press that Mitchell's stroke was minor.
  • Scandal Manipulation — Bob engineers a scandal to force the Vice President out.
• Ellen's Awakening — Ellen moves from contempt to emotional openness after seeing Dave's compassion and courage.
  • Shelter Encounter — Dave shows empathy toward a shy boy at Ellen's shelter.
  • Hidden Hospital — Ellen sees the real Mitchell in a coma beneath the White House.
• The Shelter Battle — Bob's forged veto forces Dave to defend a social program that Ellen strongly supports.
  • Forged Veto — Bob falsifies Mitchell's signature to veto shelter funding.
  • Budget Restoration — Dave, Murray, and the Cabinet restore the funding.
• Dave Breaks Free — Dave rejects Bob's control and replaces the administration's scheme with a public jobs agenda.
  • Bob Is Fired — Dave fires Bob during a press conference.
  • National Jobs Plan — Dave announces jobs for every American who wants one.
• Congressional Reckoning — The scandal reaches Congress, where Dave and Alan expose Bob's responsibility.
  • Scandal Counterattack — Bob reveals evidence implicating the real Mitchell.
  • Mastermind Exposed — Dave presents Alan's proof that Bob created the scandal.
• Return And Renewal — Dave completes the deception's final transition and begins a civilian political life with Ellen's support.
  • Final Presidential Switch — Dave fakes another stroke and resumes his former identity.
  • First Kiss — Ellen visits Dave's campaign office and they kiss.

Directed by

Ivan Reitman

Key Cast

• Kevin Kline — Dave Kovic / Bill Mitchell
• Sigourney Weaver — Ellen Mitchell
• Frank Langella — Bob Alexander
• Kevin Dunn — Alan Reed
• Ving Rhames — Duane Stevenson