Wag the Dog
1997, Drama/Comedy, 1h 37m
75 Reviews 25,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Smart, well-acted, and uncomfortably prescient political satire from director Barry Levinson and and all-star cast. Read critic reviews
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Wag the Dog Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Stanley Motss
Conrad Brean
Winifred Ames
Sgt. William Schumann
Fad King
Johnny Dean
News & Interviews for Wag the Dog
Critic Reviews for Wag the Dog
All Critics (75) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (11)
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If anything, in the years since its release, the worlds of politics, entertainment, and news media have grown even more intertwined in which narratives are carefully controlled and expectations are minimal.
January 2, 2018 | Full Review… -
Hilary Henkin and David Mamet's script is gleefully hyperbolic without ever straying from its political target.
March 30, 2009 | Full Review… -
Lazily assembled by director Levinson, it slides into a series of soft, extended skits on engineering a media war, not helped by several badly handled leaps in the story.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
Amusing as it is, Wag The Dog does what it purports to sat irize -- the bark is real but the teeth aren't.
April 12, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
A wicked smart satire on the interlocking worlds of politics and show business, Wag the Dog confirms every awful thought you've ever had about media manipulation and the gullibility of the American public.
February 14, 2001 | Full Review… -
The pacing is crisp, the dialogue quippy and fast, the tone arch but energetic.
February 14, 2001
Audience Reviews for Wag the Dog
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Apr 22, 2019Great film that is a black satire on politics and the many scandals surrounding officials in the oval office. This is a mainstream indie film that works well and provides evidence of the importance of storytelling and character. A strong script in development is a must and you can see this is a passion film for everyone involved. The film was made in 28 days, that fact should entice you all the more, structured film. Hoffman and Levinson are a dynamite team and they offer a film that is more commercial compared to Sphere, which I did review favourably. Wag the Dog is a great film and one film you should watch before reviewing the events of the Clinton scandal. 18/04/2019Brendan N Super Reviewer
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May 22, 2014Hoffman and De Niro seem to have a contest as to who can bore the other more effectively. This film which could have been an interesting talking point instead becomes a forgettable food note.John B Super Reviewer
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Jul 26, 2013Wag the Dog is an average dark comedy that relies on a great cast and an effective script. Enjoyable, but could have been better, this film is a bit dull at times and suffers from a so-so script. The idea is good, but the result is a decent film that just touches the surface of what it tries to accomplish. The cast were quite good and they clearly try to elevate film's material. This is a decent affair, but it could have been much better than what it turned out to be. I was really looking forward to seeing this one, but I was slightly let down. I expected a much better film than this and though it has a great cast, it never becomes anything truly worthwhile to rewatch again. With its ideas, Wag the Dog could have been a standout feature, but it just ends up being a so0so movie that never really takes off. I thought that there could have been more effort put into this one, and though it is a decent film, it's also quite dull in places and it should have been better. This may appeal to viewers looking for satire, but there are some elements missing to make it the film that it should have been. Enjoyable, but flawed, Wag the Dog is decent fun with a cast that try their best at making this a film watchable experience. The idea makes this film enjoyable, but simply can't shrug off how could this one could have been otherwise. Wag the Dog is fun, and quite decent, but it could have been much better.Alex r Super Reviewer
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Mar 09, 2013Brilliant and well-crafted, Wag the Dog is an inspired and entertaining satire. When the President faces a scandal that could cost him the election he calls in a spin-doctor that decides to concoct a phony war in order to squash the scandal. The cast is excellent, and includes Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Heche, and Denis Leary. The script is also especially good, and is full of witty political satire. Still, there are some cheesy parts and the plot gets a little contrived at times. Wag the Dog has its flaws, but overall it's and an enjoyable and fun look at the audaciousness of politics.Dann M Super Reviewer
Wag the Dog Quotes
| Winifred Ames: | We killed Ol' Shoe. |
| Stanley Motss: | Good news he's alive! ( Heres gunshot ) Strike that! |
| Stanley Motss: | Good news he's alive! Strike that! |
| Stanley Motss: | Money? You think I did this for money?? I want the credit. |
| Stanley Motss: | Money? You think I did this for money? I want the credit. |
| Stanley Motss: | This is nothing! |
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