Wag the Dog (1997)

The critic calls it a gloriously cynical black comedy and wicked smart satire on politics and show business that confirms every awful thought about media manipulation. It singles out the sharp-edged farce with its hard-hitting lines and gleeful plot twists for praise.

The critic praises the film's prescient satire on spin-doctoring and media manipulation, noting its timely release amid real-world scandals and its sharp take on how politics and Hollywood intersect.

The review notes that glib cynicism gains appeal here through comic precision and polished handling, making for a concise and energetic satire that flatters viewers' knowingness. It singles out Dustin Hoffman's hilarious and fresh turn as the self-infatuated producer as the film's strongest asset.

The review finds the film a timely but ultimately limited satire on spin and hype that may charm some while leaving others irritated by its calculated cleverness. It singles out Dustin Hoffman's performance as the standout element that helps carry the picture.

The review finds the premise timely and the performances strong, especially from De Niro and Hoffman, but notes the satire lacks bite and feels only half-realised overall, though still entertaining.

The critic describes the plot involving a spin doctor and Hollywood producer fabricating a war to distract from a presidential scandal. They criticize the film as lazily assembled with soft skits and badly handled story leaps, seeing it as symptomatic of mainstream American cinema's decline.

The critic praises the film as a swift, hilarious and scarily plausible political satire that makes it impossible to trust media gestures. It singles out the biting screenplay by David Mamet and Hilary Henkin and the direction by Barry Levinson for particular acclaim.

The film benefits from strong topicality around a presidential sex scandal but stands on its own as a sharp political satire. It excels through quicksilver Mamet dialogue and Dustin Hoffman’s standout performance as the Hollywood producer.

The critic praises the sharp, knuckle-to-knuckle satire that sends up media hunger for stories and places cynicism back in government. Performances by Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro are singled out as exceeding expectations and carrying the fast-paced production.