Andrea Martin, Anne Heche, Denis Leary

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

Flixster Users

72% liked it

37,625 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

70 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Barry Levinson

Release Date: December 25, 1997

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 28, 1998

Get It:

Stats: 1,478 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,478)


  • September 29, 2009
    Clever idea but very poorly executed in my opinion. Nice to see Dustin Hoffman & Robert De Niro acting together though!
  • August 22, 2009
    A very observational satirical comedy that could have had more of an impact, if it had taken things more seriously. The film is still relevant today, as a White House spin doctor and a Hollywood producer team up in an attempt to cover up a sex scandal. They create a fake war/conf...( read more)lict with varying degrees of laughs. A fake bit of footage, a song or two and Woody Harrelson's convict/"war hero". De Niro and Hoffman are fantastic and are supported by a large array of talent in smaller roles. Wag the Dog shows how unscrupulous politicians and Hollywood producers can be. The scariest thing about this film is that it isn't too far fetched to believe something like this could happen
  • July 20, 2009
    Hilarious political satire about the lengths spin doctors will go to secure the re-election of a president. A great cast list, with the pairing of De Niro & Dustin Hoffman, in particular, making a surprisingly good comedy duo. In the late-90s this could easily have been mistaken ...( read more)for yet another conspiracy theory movie, but more than 10 years later it's almost prophetic!
  • January 21, 2009
    There's a lot to love about this film, just not enough to give it 4 or more stars.
  • October 20, 2008
    Before Meet the Fockers De Niro and Hoffman came together in the political comedy Wag the Dog. De Niro plays a spin doctor for an incumbent President seeking re-election who is facing a sex scandal. He enlists the help of a Hollywood producer (Hoffman) and his clan to produce a w...( read more)ar to deflect the public eye from the indiscretion.

    Yes, the film is a comedy but what's really scary is that you can really see how this could be happening right now. Do you really trust the government enough to believe that these two guys don't have real life counterparts on the payroll.You'll laugh at the absurdity, but it will still seem possible. This is a more mature Dave or The American President. There isn't really a happy ending in sight. The goal is for everyone to keep their job.

    A good movie for election year viewing.
  • November 4, 2009
    what a hilarious satire this is, total entertainment film by barry levinson, politics never be this fun before.,
    this hilarious satire surrounded by many many great things, first the screenplay by david mamet (the writer) who produced many many many great dialogue, and also the c...( read more)ast, which for me is the perfect cast for this movie especially dustin hoffman.,
    and now the ending, which i found funny and tragic at the same time, i still dont know how to react to the ending.,
    and the funniest thing for me is, even now when i write this review down, i still don't know the producer of this movie, and dont really care, haha ( just kiddin, i will find that out immediately after post this)
  • October 13, 2009
    Couldn't stand this.
  • September 3, 2009
    didnt flow as well as it could have...actors were all that but it got stuck in the telling..
  • September 1, 2009
    This was a fantastic concept about how spin doctors shape and make the news what they want. Set in the aftermath of the Clinton scandal we can hardly suppose the directors would even try to disguise their topical satire. I would much recommend this for anyone who watches FOX and ...( read more)takes it at all seriously. Perhaps you will actually begin to question the content.
  • August 24, 2009
    politics never been this cinematic..and quite fun!

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Absurd and convincing at the same time. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Between the laughs, there are moments that ring so true they can raise goosebumps. full review

View more Wag the Dog reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Wag the Dog" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
    Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worr... (53%)
  • Opération lune,(Dark Side of the Moon)
    Opération lune,(Dark Side of the Moon) (100%)
  • Mad City
    Mad City (100%)
  • Primary Colors
    Primary Colors (100%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Wag the Dog : Watch Free on TV


Wag the Dog Trivia


  • This political film follows Robert DeNiro and Anne Heche's characters as they try and build up an elaborate, media-manipulative lie to detract attention from a political scandal.  Answer »
  • What does Robert De Niro create in Wag The Dog to deflect attention away from a sex scandal?   Answer »
  • Robert Deniro and Dustin Hoffman have co-starred together in "Meet the fockers" and "Sleepers". Which other movie did they co-star in?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Wag the dog" against which country the US are fakely in war with ?  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Wag the Dog. Want to create one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?