Wag the Dog
1997 · Movie · R · 97 min · ★ 6.9 · 80% critics
With an election looming and a scandal threatening to dominate headlines, a political fixer teams up with a Hollywood producer to manufacture a made-for-TV crisis. As the media machine spins up, the line between news and entertainment blurs, and the public is pulled along for the ride.
Based on Wag the Dog: A Novel
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in the US.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1997
- Release date
- 1997-12-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Critic score
- 80/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (1,058 votes)
About
If you enjoy darkly funny stories about media manipulation and political spin, this should land, especially if you liked Thank You for Smoking or The Player; Not for you if you want earnest politics or subtle, low-key comedy.
Pros: sharp political satire; big laughs; strong dialogue | Cons: uneven final stretch; some over-the-top moments; a bit rushed
Themes
- gulf war
- central intelligence agency (cia)
- rape
- usa president
- washington dc, usa
- government
- war veteran
- election campaign
- presidential election
- staging
- politics
- movie business
- +8 more
Awards & recognition
- Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize · 1998
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1998 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1998 · nominated
Cast & crew
Dustin Hoffman
as Stanley Motss
Robert De Niro
as Conrad Brean
Anne Heche
as Winifred Ames
Woody Harrelson
as Sergeant William Schumann
Denis Leary
as Fad King
Willie Nelson
as Johnny Dean
Andrea Martin
as Liz Butsky
Kirsten Dunst
as Tracy Lime
William H. Macy
as CIA Agent Charles Young
David Koechner
as Director
Directed by Barry Levinson