Primetime Backyard Movie Series: DAVE (1993)

It seems to me that political movies didn't used to be so...well...political. I've known for some time that I wanted to do something in September in honor of the every four year bout of insanity this country goes through with elections. But every title I could come up with seemed to either pick a side or was close to sixty years old. There was a time when hard fought elections were seen in film as almost good-natured sporting events. Even semi-serious films such as The Best Man (1964) and The Candidate (1973) had a kind of wide-eyed appreciation for our system working out the differences between two sides who had more in common than not combined with a kind of wide-eyed realization that our system, as flawed as it was, was still an earnest experiment seeking to fulfill the greatest ideals of democracy.

But since Watergate, political films have turned ugly, and while many of them are, in and of themselves incredible examples of the art of filmmaking, most are so entrenched in their self-righteous point of view that it makes it very hard to pick a movie that at least someone would take issue with on the "opposing side." I guess what I was really wanted was a modern version of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Frank Capra's landmark achievement about an everyman who suddenly finds himself appointed to Congress and must deal with the ugly sausage-making that is our political system. Seen by most as a funny, hopeful and idealized version of Washington, it remains at its heart a deeply cynical work that exposes most of the problems with our system that still exist today.

Honestly, I would play that movie if I really thought that some of you would come to an 85 year-old black and white film. But instead I went with the only film I would consider close to its modern equivalent - Ivan Reitman's charming and sweet DAVE (1993) starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver.

DAVE tells the story of a good natured a temp agency owner who makes extra money as a look-alike impersonator of the current president Bill Mitchell. When Mitchell needs a temporary stand-in for a function, the Secret Service recruits Dave to impersonate the president for a few days. Of course things do not go as planned, and Dave finds himself in a longer gig than he expected, trying to hide the fact that he is not the actual president from the suspicious First Lady played by Weaver, who coincidentally hates her real husband. Hijinks ensue.

DAVE is at it's heart a somewhat naïve but sweet comedy that serves as a welcome tonic to today's toxic political environment.

So what if it could never really happen. By the end of the film, you'll wish it could.

Presenting our fourth year of Primetime's popular Backyard Movie Series, where we'll all get together during good weather armed with our bug spray and lawn chairs to watch a variety of movies. I have the movies. I have the projector. I have a sort of giant (for a backyard at least) 10 foot screen. I even have a long, narrow but semi-deep backyard with a giant oak tree that will silently watch over us as we relive our youth at the drive-in and as we make fun of those making out on the back row.

There will be free hot dogs, movie candies and popcorn. Feel free to bring other stuff if you want, including your own lawn chair. I have some spares and some blankets, but not enough for a full house. BYOB. I'll have some soft drinks and water as well.

We'll socialize for about an hour before the movie, which will start promptly at dusk (about 7:45) if not a few minutes before. There will be my usual movie notes and an Alamo Drafthouse style preshow. Preshow will start when it gets dark enough to see the projector. Nights can sometime get a little chilly in September, so depending on the weather we may have a campfire, s'mores, and some hot chocolate or cider.

RAIN POLICY - I'll post here if we have to reschedule for weather or other unforeseen events. Just check here before you head this way.

CARPOOLS - My parking around here really is limited thanks to overbuilding on nearby lots, so carpooling is encouraged.