Wag the Dog
First screened in January 1998 / Most recently screened in January 2007

---

Director: Barry Levinson. Cast: Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Heche, Denis Leary, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Suzie Plakson, Kirsten Dunst, William H. Macy, Andrea Martin, John Michael Higgins, Michael Belson, Suzanne Cryer, David Koechner. Screenplay: Hilary Henkin and David Mamet (based on the novel American Hero by Larry Binehart).

---

Twitter Capsule: Boxed into broad corner by the end, but wicked fun until then. Anne Heche is MVP for coloratura of wordless reactions.

VOR: ③  Expresses a country that's mad as hell, via dark comedy rather than Network-y speechifying. Rare shot at hearing Mamet in a bouncier key. Spoofing of Hollywood a bit familiar.

---

Photo © 1997 New Line Cinema/Tribeca Productions

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B+

---

Academy Award Nominations:
	Best Actor: Dustin Hoffman
	Best Adapted Screenplay: Hilary Henkin and David Mamet
Golden Globe Nominations:
	Best Picture (Musical/Comedy)
	Best Actor (Musical/Comedy): Dustin Hoffman
	Best Screenplay
Other Awards:
	Berlin Film Festival: Special Jury Prize
	National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (Heche; also cited for Donnie Brasco)

---

Permalink

Home

1997

ABC

Blog

E-Mail