Wag the Dog Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

President gets handsy, so De Niro and Hoffman fake a whole war with Albania to distract everyone, proving that Hollywood really can do anything.

🍿 Wag the Dog: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Presidential Scandal

Days before the presidential election, a scandal erupts when the president is caught in a compromising situation with an underage girl. His re-election chances plummet, and his team scrambles for a solution. Winifred Ames, a presidential aide, seeks the expertise of Conrad Brean, a seasoned spin doctor known for his ability to manipulate public perception.

Fabricating a War

Brean proposes an audacious plan: to fabricate a war with Albania to distract the public from the scandal. He enlists the help of Stanley Motss, a flamboyant Hollywood producer, to create a convincing narrative. Motss brings his creative talents to bear, crafting a complete media spectacle, including a theme song and fabricated film footage.

The Media Blitz

The manufactured war gains traction in the media, successfully diverting attention from the president’s scandal. The public rallies behind the fabricated conflict, boosting the president’s approval ratings. However, the CIA becomes aware of the hoax, leading to a confrontation with Brean. Despite the risk of exposure, Brean manages to convince the CIA agent that revealing the truth would be detrimental to national security.

Doubling Down on Deception

When the CIA attempts to undermine the hoax by announcing the end of the (fake) war, Brean and Motss escalate their deception by inventing an American war hero left behind enemy lines. This new narrative involves creating a patriotic symbol around a fictional soldier and generating public sympathy through a carefully orchestrated media campaign, complete with a specially written song called ‘Old Shoe’.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Conrad Brean (Robert De Niro): A skilled spin doctor hired to distract the public from a presidential scandal by fabricating a war.
• Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman): A Hollywood producer who uses his filmmaking expertise to create a convincing fictional war.
• Winifred Ames (Anne Heche): The presidential aide who hires Brean and helps manage the escalating deception.
• Sgt. William Schumann (Woody Harrelson): A criminally insane soldier used as a fabricated war hero to further manipulate public sentiment.
• Johnny Dean (Willie Nelson): A folk singer enlisted to create a patriotic song that amplifies the manufactured war narrative.
• Mr. Young (William H. Macy): A CIA agent who confronts Brean about the hoax but is ultimately convinced to stay silent.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Stanley Motss: “This is nothing!” – Motss’s catchphrase, said whenever faced with a seemingly insurmountable problem, highlighting his unwavering confidence and ability to spin any situation.
• Conrad Brean: “Why Albania?” – Brean asks why they have chosen to manufacture a war in Albania, to which Motss responds, ‘Why not?’ It highlights the arbitrary nature of political manipulation.
• Stanley Motss: “Every war has a theme.” – Motss says this while discussing how to make a war palatable for the public, showcasing his cynical view of public perception and media manipulation.
• Stanley Motss: “I want the credit!” – Stanley Motss says this to Conrad Brean shortly before his death when talking about his involvement in the hoax war with Albania.
• Stanley Motss: “The whole thing is a fraud, and yet it’s 100% convincing.” – Said by Stanley Motss, summing up the core theme of the movie about illusion vs. reality.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $43,073,577
• Worldwide Gross: $64,462,782

💥 Wag the Dog Reviews

Personal Review

Dustin Hoffman stole every scene he was in with his over-the-top portrayal of Stanley Motss. De Niro was awesome as the cool, calculated Brean, always one step ahead. But when the president wasn’t mentioned, it had some gaps. I left the theater with a lot to think about.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political satire”
  • “Viewers interested in media manipulation”
  • “Those who enjoy dark comedies”
  • “Audiences interested in behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes related to politics and deception”
  • “Brief scenes of violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “Levinson directs a tight, darkly funny satire. De Niro and Hoffman are at their best, navigating Mamet’s razor-sharp script with ease. It’s a chilling commentary on media manipulation that feels relevant even today. But at times it could seem far-fetched and loses focus at times as a result.
• Indiewire: “Wag the Dog finds humor in the absurd, driven by De Niro and Hoffman. It presents a world where truth is a commodity, and perception is everything. It’s a thought-provoking experience. The movie might be an over-the-top premise, but it is still entertaining and comical.

Audience Reactions

The performances from Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro were the standouts; their chemistry was perfect for this dark, satirical comedy.: Sharp satire and incredibly relevant; the film’s depiction of media manipulation and political spin feels eerily prescient.

Overall Consensus: A sharp and darkly comedic satire on political spin and media manipulation, fueled by stellar performances from De Niro and Hoffman.

Awards

1. Silver Berlin Bear (Special Jury Prize)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dustin Hoffman’s character, Stanley Motss, is widely believed to be based on the legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans. Hoffman studied Evans’ mannerisms and style to inform his portrayal.”
• “The film was released shortly before the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, leading many to see it as eerily prescient about the power of spin in politics.”
• “Director Barry Levinson shot the film in just 29 days, a remarkably fast pace for a movie with such a complex plot and high-profile cast.”
• “Willie Nelson’s cameo as a songwriter adds a layer of authenticity to the film’s satire of manufactured patriotism.”
• “Although the film satirizes American politics, it was filmed primarily in California, utilizing locations that could stand in for Washington D.C. and other settings.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wag the Dog?

Wag the Dog is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you may have the option to rent or purchase the film. Check local listings for possible broadcast options. Digital purchase allows permanent access to the film in your library.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wag the Dog, you might like these similar films:

• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): Shares a similar darkly comedic tone and satirical approach to political and military absurdity.
• All the President’s Men (1976): Explores the themes of political deception, media manipulation, and the pursuit of truth in a corrupt system, though in a more serious and realistic manner.
• Thank You for Smoking (2005): Presents a satirical look at spin doctors and their ability to manipulate public opinion, albeit in a different context (tobacco industry).
• In the Loop (2009): A British political satire film with a similar theme of political spin gone awry.
• Being There (1979): Explores how a simple man’s words are misinterpreted and manipulated by the media and political establishment, leading to unexpected consequences.

🛒 Wag the Dog Related Products

• Wag the Dog (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray edition of the film with behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentary, and deleted scenes. Great for collectors and movie enthusiasts.
• Wag the Dog: The Screenplay (Digital Edition): A digital version of the screenplay by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, including director’s notes and behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process. A must-have for aspiring screenwriters and fans of the film.
• Robert De Niro: A Life in Pictures: A retrospective book celebrating Robert De Niro’s career, featuring rare photographs, film stills, and personal anecdotes from his time in Hollywood. A perfect coffee-table book for fans of De Niro and film history.
• Dustin Hoffman: The Biography: An in-depth biography of Dustin Hoffman, exploring his life, career, and impact on the film industry. A fascinating read for anyone interested in Hoffman’s journey and the making of a Hollywood legend.

🎧 Soundtrack

Wag the Dog features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” – performed by Maurice Chevalier
• “Good Old Shoe” – performed by Willie Nelson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

President Donald Trump’s ‘Wag The Dog’ Problem | The Last Word | MSNBC

Curious about how the themes of ‘Wag the Dog’ play out in real life? Check out this interview with the movie’s director, Barry Levinson, discussing President Trump’s strategies.

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