Wag the Dog . Tucson Weekly . 01-26-98

Wag the Dog

DIRECTED BY: Barry Levinson

REVIEWED: 01-26-98

Director Barry Levinson makes a brave attempt at political satire, but he can't resist the impulse to water it down. And what is it with the aging big stars? They can't resist playing it cute. Dustin Hoffman is an adorable movie producer; Robert DeNiro is a cuddly spin doctor working for the President. Together they concoct the ultimate diversionary device--a war. (This is necessary because the President seems to have broken one of the Ten Commandments with a girl scout). Occasionally Wag the Dog is very funny; the first half hour is especially good. But then it starts to repeat itself, and Levinson and his screenwriters seem to feel far more comfortable making fun of Hollywood than of Washington. Eventually, it all degenerates into the regular, old, predictable ruts.

--Richter

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Other Films by Barry Levinson
Disclosure
Liberty Heights
Sleepers
Sphere

Film Vault Suggested Links
Election
The Sum of Us
In & Out

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