There are numerous works set in places like the White House, and one of them is the movie “Dave.” Released in 1993, it’s a comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Kline.
The story follows Dave, the protagonist, who is chosen as a stand-in for the President. Initially intended as a one-night gig, Dave continues as the President’s double after the real President suffers a stroke. This decision is made to prevent the Vice President from seizing power, orchestrated by the President’s Chief of Staff.
As Dave fulfills his duties for the nation, he evolves into a capable politician and a compassionate human being. He wins over the President’s First Lady and even manages to change the heart of the Press Secretary, who was involved in wrongdoing. Eventually, Dave forces the Chief of Staff to resign. When the real President passes away, the Vice President takes on Dave’s proposed policies. Dave then leaves the White House, aiming to become a city councilman in his hometown.
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Comparison between the Film’s Setting and Background with Real Washington D.C.
The movie portrays various aspects of the White House and political settings, but there are several differences from reality. For example, scenes that involve the President’s inauguration parade and public demonstrations often utilize actual streets that have been used for such events. In 1995, the decision to close off streets was made after the Oklahoma City bombing, and some of these closures have been maintained since then.
The presidential car used in movies is often depicted as a Lincoln, but in reality, the specially customized Cadillac was utilized.
At the time the movie was released, the sitting president, Bill Clinton, rode in a 1993 model Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Limousine. Interestingly, the previous president, George H.W. Bush, used a limousine based on the Lincoln Town Car.
The location used as the corridors of the United States Capitol was actually the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.
Since the story revolves around the political realm, real political venues were intended to be the backdrop, but filming permissions were not granted on-site. The White House reportedly constructed a faithful replica of its interior for filming. However, the scenes set in the corridors of the United States Capitol were shot at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. This hotel located in Los Angeles is renowned for its use as a filming location and has been featured in productions like “Mission: Impossible 3” and “Spider-Man.” It has also served as a filming location for the “Ghostbusters” series directed by the same director.
Exploring the Differences Adds to the Fun:
Many factors can lead to differences between the movie’s settings and the actual locations. Instead of being disappointed by these disparities, it can be enjoyable to compare the differences and make it a part of the journey.
