Wag The Dog Reviews

Hoffman is a god

Apparently no studio wanted to touch this film because it was such a political hot potato...

So hoffman dipped into his own pockets, went it alone and produced this one himself.

You can see why the studios were nervous. This plot is almost biographical of Clinton and a bit of a few other presidents...maybe...if you believe the conspiracy theorists.

But the plot is feasible and well directed to produce a film that almost feels like real news.

Add to your queue for sure.

Political satire:

This is a good piece of political satire. With snappy dialogue and sharp humour. The initial sexual infraction by the president at the start of the movie, that sets the ball rolling for a major political smoke screen that drives the rest of the movie, is an obvious dig at the Clinton/Lewinski scandal. Their are some funny performances throughout the movie, Dennis leary and Woody Harrelson crop up in two small but funny rolls. The standout performance though is definitely from Dustin Hoffman as a movie producer wanting to rekindle his reputation. He gets the funniest lines and really made the movie for me. Generally this is a sharp and witty movie, with echoes of the TV series The West Wing. Definitely worth checking out.

Superb!

A wonderful, acidic satire on spin doctors and making good news out of bad, Levinson's film is an example of how it CAN all work when a ilm fits together well...the cast are flawless, the script tight and hilarious frequently, Levinson's direction was Oscar worthy in my humble opinion and even the sublime score by Mark Knopfler is a delight.

Hoffman and De Niro are standouts...boy, you can tell I like this film, can't you?

[Highly rated reviewer]

BELIEVE NO-ONE. THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.

Classing this as a 'comedy' is rather misleading, particularly for the first half and hour or so. Once the pace picks up there are some satirical laughs, which turn to concerns as you start thinking that a stunt like this is not beyond the realms of possibility. Good performances from De Niro and Hoffman.

Great film!

Basically, if you like The West Wing, or have interest in politics or the limits political people will go to then this film is for you. It's far-fetched (hopefully!) but brilliantly written, with excellent performances from Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro and Denis Leary. A highly recommended movie.

WITTY

Witty comedy from David Mamet who manages to infuse political satire and tongue in cheek references to this generations political events. Faking a war with Albania to cover up a Presidential scandal and ensure the President is elected, this premise enables many wonderful ideas to be fermented and snappy dialogue. De Niro and Hoffman look good on screen together and chemistry is smooth. Worth watching!

Excellent Satire, Poor Development.

• Want to know how to make a film? With war in Albany? Terrorism in Canada? Political elections intrigue? Even a mock Band Aid and war heroes? There you go! Only here the film is not screened in your local cinema, but on the TV News; and the script is not written to entertain an audience, but to manipulate the masses.

• This intelligent script shows you the making of the events you see on TV. The satire – hilarious – invites you to wonder when it starts, and when reality stops… So if you don’t like being played when you watch the news, this might interest you.

• Now, the actors are good enough, but Levinson didn’t seem to take his directing too seriously. It lacks of nerve, the camera is simplistic, the light cheap, the action too slow and not sustained by any suspense or atmosphere… It looks a bit dull.

• You have a good time with the first hour, and then the story dissolves in a vague sense of absurdity.

• The book deserved better treatment.

• To be seen for the excellent and, still, hilarious, satire.

Thinks it's clever and hilarious; isn't.

Very dissappointed with this one. Very poorly executed, formulaic, predictable, and lacking in anything that felt like it might resemble politics in the real world. Unfortunate, since it obviously seems to think that it's a hilarious and biting political satire. It really isn't.

[Highly rated reviewer]

White House wit conspires to dazzle

Yet another example of the legend that is Robert de Niro, for you could put him in a Peanut Butter advertisement and his performance would make it compelling.

This is the American version of 'Yes Prime Minister' whereby the President's backroom boys gear up to cover up his sexual 'faux pas' and retain his reputation as a firm hand on the tiller of state.

It was not cutting enough for a good satire and too tongue in cheek for a credible conspiracy tale of dirty deeds.

A well made and workmanlike film which was entertaining without being too pretentious. I am not going to say any more in case I have a heart attack in my swimming pool. Worth the money!

Scarily contemporary, and frighteningly plausible. Well worth a night in and a bottle of wine for a post-DVD analysis of politics and plotting.