Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Wag the Dog (1997)


Academy Awards, USA 1998

Nominated
Oscar
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Dustin Hoffman
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Hilary Henkin
David Mamet

New Line Cinema
Directed by Barry Levinson
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, New Line)

When the president becomes embroiled in a sex scandal weeks before election day, it is up to publicity mastermind Robert De Niro to divert the public's attention long enough to get him reelected. He elicits the help of Hollywood producer Dustin Hoffman to concoct a fake war with Albania. Clever idea provides some insights to modern politics, but stretches believability to the breaking point just to get a few laughs. As such, it's hard to take seriously. See 1978's Capricorn One for a better take on a similar theme.

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