Wag the Dog (1997)

Its funny cuz it's true...
When one watches `Wag the Dog', especially now in this politically charged time in history, one can't help but wonder if this film was taken from classified documents lifted from the White House archives. Did this really happen? I have a feeling it did, and recently at that (and personally, I'm not talking about Clinton). I couldn't help myself while watching this film to contemplate what was going through the minds of the actors and writers involved while they mulled over their source material. It is true, very true, that the funniest things in life are based on personal experience.

With that in mind...

`Wag the Dog' is a film about government conspiracy, both authentic and artificial. The president made a huge mistake just as he is up for reelection and it's up to his advisors to make that mistake disappear. His rival candidate is using this `misstep' to his advantage by trying to persuade votes in his direction but Conrad Brean, a `spin-doctor', has a plan of his own, a plan that will turn the public's eye away from the presidents misconduct and onto his heroic good deeds. Brean enlists the help of Hollywood producer Stanley Motss to manufacture a war with Albania in order to draw attention to the president's strength in leading his country to victory. Their plan is far from foolproof but Motss is a master of the lens and continues to stay one foot ahead of the apposing side.

Barry Levinson does a masterful job with this film. The script is very tightly woven, brilliantly adapted from its source material to create one hilarious trip through the actions of the presidents men. The acting is so superb it's almost unbelievable. Dustin Hoffman has always been one of my favorite actors and he does not disappoint as famed producer Motss. He steals every scene he inhabits and brilliantly constructs Motss from the ground up. Equally impressive is De Niro who soars as Brean. His fast paced wit fits perfectly against that of Hoffman and they prove to be one fantastically structured comedic team.

The supporting cast also does a fine job at shining. Anne Heche delivers, as does the likes of Willie Nelson, but its Denis Leary and Woody Harrelson that really make the most of their small roles. Kirsten Dunst also does a fantastic job in her short scene, creating a lasting, very lasting impression.

As the opening words plastered across the screen allude to, this is a story about a dog that was dumber than its tail, a story about tail that was forced to wag the dog.

Clinton - Lewinsky
This movie was released during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. It is about covering up political scandal by CREATING a larger incident. Deniro is the president and Hoffman a hollywood director hired to solve the presidents problem. Very funny. Lots of INTERSTING characters. Excellent OVER-THE-TOP performances by Deniro and Hoffman! A must see at least once!

Clinton - Lewinsky
This movie was released during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. It is about covering up political scandal by CREATING a larger incident. Deniro is the president and Hoffman a hollywood director hired to solve the presidents problem. Very funny. Lots of INTERSTING characters. Excellent OVER-THE-TOP performances by Deniro and Hoffman! A must see at least once!