"Wag the Dog" is a cynical, biting black comedy that punctures numerous sacred cows and viciously mocks politics, the news media, and
the American public in a compact, wordy and darkly hilarious, intelligent indictment of the show-biz mentality overwhelming the media and politics. This intellectual-wisecracking film vies with "Jackie
Brown" for juiciest cast ('Brown' wins for offbeat diversity) and is the 30-day-shoot product of a stunning ensemble of seasoned film heavyweights.
Robert DeNiro shakes off a slew of overbaked
roles and snaps out some of his sharpest work in recent memory. He delivers a low-key, controlled performance as P.R. mastermind Conrad Brean, called to the White House because of a sex scandal that threatens the
unseen President's re-election. Connie's rumpled college-professor clothes and squashed tweed hat contrast sharply with the Brooks Brothers yuppie wardrobe crisply worn by Presidential aide Winifred Ames, a brilliant comic
performance by Anne Heche, better known as Ellen DeGeneres' playmate. Connie may look a mess, but he's got a mind like a laser beam and a tongue to match. DeNiro rips into his scenes with
unerring precision and speed, rapping out the screenplay's rapid-fire, fragmentary dialogue.
David Mamet
("Glengarry Glen Ross")
co-adapted a novel with Hilary Henkin ("Romeo is Bleeding). He and Henkin put together a sly script full of punchy prose and knowing sarcasm -- pay attention to the 'throw-away' lines, nothing is extra in this spare dynamo. These two writers develop the opening scene with lightning speed, and DeNiro is in complete command of the language and situation as he rolls out his plan to the bewildered White House staffers in sketchy but information-packed statements. Connie knows who he needs to pull off his audacious stunt, and pays a call to Hollywood producer
Stanley Motts, played with
goofball charm and cleverness by Dustin Hoffman (rumor says producer Bob Evans is the inspiration for Motts).
Motts is thrilled with the project and immediately starts corralling talent and filling
out Connie's plan with hilarious details. Motts is a ditz (established in a very funny sequence as Connie pitches the idea -- 'where's my vegetable shake?') until he starts to work, and then his skills
become self-evident. He pulls together a team that includes the Fad King (Denis Leary, perfectly cast) whose job is merchandising (the cheeseburger tie-in is a scream) and Johhny Green
(Willie Nelson, fine job acting and singing) who writes the saccharine war songs and directs a 'We Are The World' - type session that sends up the self-congratulating pompousness of benefit songs with nasty glee. Johnny's a professional, delivering a soulful song about a shoe. Seriously! "Wag the Dog" gets more ludicrous and satirical as the plot progresses.
Connie and Stanley are master manipulators, expert at fabrication and puffery, and delight in discussing their work with each other as
their respective teams whip up a fabricated war against Albania ('Why Albania?' 'Do you know where it is?' 'Exactly'). "Wag the Dog" is a behind-the-scenes how-to of media manipulation, and
the movie is merciless when skewering TV news. The press conference scene is a howl, with Stanley and Connie cheering the shift in questions like guys rooting for their favorite football team.
"Wag" is loaded with in-jokes -- that scene parodies venerable White House press agent Helen Thomas and glamorous CNN correspondent Christiane Ammanpour. It's a complicated, tricky game and the
fun in "Wag the Dog" is watching Connie and Stanley deal with one disaster after another. Stanley's war cry, "Let's solve the problem!" results in the most unethical and crass events imaginable (even
death can't deter him) and you can't help wondering if he and Connie are going to get away with it. Winifred darts about pulling everything together like a sleek blonde bee, showing the steel will
beneath her calm exterior in the choice of kitten ("The President would like a WHITE kitten.") and providing lots of laughs when she comes unglued ("What's wrong with Schuman?!??") Heche's comic timing
is excellent, and she's hilarious when a CIA officer (William Macy from 'Fargo') gets involved. Her panicky, ridiculous excuses sound familiar because you've heard the same material in every single
Congressional hearing. That scene is amazing, Heche frantically babbling to get out of a jam while DeNiro calmly turns their opponent around. Remarkable for the sheer tricks the language
pulls and sustained brilliance of the two stars - that scene will pop up in acting schools.
Woody Harrelson provides more laughs as war hero Schuman who's slightly - er - not quite right.
"Wag the Dog" mocks yellow ribbons, the 'nannygate' scandal, Presidential bad behavior, the CIA, message T-shirts, political polls, Hollywood and a thousand other facets of contemporary American life as it
hurtles to its surprisingly menacing ending. "Wag the Dog" is brutal, cynical, and dead-on. It's a film for everyone who thinks politics and the media are rotten to the core. "Wag the Dog"
is smart, unsentimental and has its hapless targets right in its cross-hairs.
It's no surprise this savage little gem is so superb on so many levels, check out who's behind it: director Barry
Levinson ("Rain Man" and "Disclosure"), Robert Richardson (Oliver Stone's director of photography), production design by Wynn Thomas (who worked on all Spike Lee's films) and oustanding costume design by
Rita Ryack (creator of those eye-popping 'Casino' ensembles). Dustin Hoffman's costumes would make him hilarious, even before he opens his mouth.
This is a film for our rightfully jaded
times. Leaves a bitter taste as it delivers its sour portrait of the American political scene. Not for everyone, and a movie that must be watched with concentration. Best for media-savvy
people wary of politics and angry at the blatant manipulation of the public by those in power. Highly recommended for the excellent work of the entire cast, particularly the three leads. Also
with Craig T. Nelson as opposing Senator Neal and Kirsten Dunst
("Interview With the Vampire") as the 'Albanian' refugee. Won't lose much on the small screen, rent it.
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