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Wag the Dog (1997)

 -  Comedy | Drama  -  9 January 1998 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 52,386 users   Metascore: 73/100
Reviews: 205 user | 128 critic | 22 from Metacritic.com

Before elections, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to "fabricate" a war in order to cover-up a presidential sex scandal.

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(book), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: Wag the Dog (1997)

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
...
...
...
...
...
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CIA Agent Charles Young
...
John Levy
...
Grace
...
Sergeant William Schumann
Michael Belson ...
President
...
Amy Cain
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A.D.
...
Director
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Storyline

After being caught in a scandalous situation days before the election, the president does not seem to have much of a chance of being re-elected. One of his advisers contacts a top Hollywood producer in order to manufacture a war in Albania that the president can heroically end, all through mass media. Written by Christy

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Why does a dog wag its tail? Because a dog is smarter than its tail. If the tail were smarter, the tail would wag the dog. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

9 January 1998 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Bite the Bullet  »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

DEM 709,091 (Germany) (27 March 1998)

Gross:

$43,022,524 (USA) (1 May 1998)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The political talk show at the end of the film lists its phone number as 1-(800)-555-0199. This number is also Lester Burnham's office number in the film American Beauty as well as Lowell Bergman's fax number in the film The Insider See more »

Goofs

When Winifred is playing with her pearls after they find out the "war" has been ended, they are in her right hand in one shot, then jump to the left in the next shot. See more »

Quotes

Conrad 'Connie' Brean: We're not gonna have a war, we're gonna have the appearance of a war.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Dustin Hoffman's main title credit is faded in over a close up of a vacuum cleaner. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Comedy Central Roast of Denis Leary (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

"I LIKE THE NIGHTLIFE"
Written by Alicia Bridges & Susan Hutcheson
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User Reviews

 
The Best Political Satire Since Dr. Strangelove
25 November 2004 | by (Los Angeles, CA) – See all my reviews

Rarely can film satire make you laugh and be worried about the future at the same time. Levinson's film does just that, with a great cast and great writing, this film succeeds.

You may have noticed that many of the posts and reviews argue that this is not plausible. Obviously these posters do not realize that satire is supposed to be over the top and show what can happen in extremes, and ironically, this came out just after Clinton's sex scandal, and is still relevant today with George W. and will continue to be regardless of the president. Also, some may think it oversimplifies the public as idiots, but this isn't true, especially if they are being deceived and information is withheld. There are some implausibilities, as in why no reporters went to Albania or how other countries didn't get involved other than denying the charges, but these are small and even addressed in scenes with the rival candidates, news reporters and even CIA head William H. Macy.

Really I don't know how anyone can not like this film since it is smart, funny and scary all at once with fine performances and direction all around. This is an American political satire classic that is sadly becoming less satire as time goes on.

OVERALL: 9/10. Buy or at least rent before the satire becomes reality.


81 of 87 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Please explain why it wasn't BORING + CHILDISH kag2-1
A really BAD film!! teekay70
Patronising godels_sprog
They did this movie already in 1995 dreamerboi23
Shuman = Jessica Lynch chris98383
How did CIA react? guoyandao
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