People may think of "Wag the Dog" as fiction, but time and again, the movie has shown itself to be reality. Whether it was Bush Sr. coming up with the Gulf War to distract people from the Savings and Loans scandal, Clinton threatening military action against Iraq to distract people from the Lewinsky thing, Bush Jr. invading Iraq as a we-can't-find-Osama diversion, or the current threats against Iran, this movie is the hilarious but unfortunate truth.

The plot of course has spin doctor Conrad Brean (Robert DeNiro) teaming up with Hollywood producer Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman) to fabricate a war, so as to distract the country from the president's sexual follies (and to think that the movie came out around the same time as you-know-what). It just goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction, especially when politics is involved. A great satire. Also starring Anne Heche, Willie Nelson, Kirsten Dunst and Woody Harrelson.

This is a super-cynical film that is incredibly entertaining, insightful and oh, so jaded! The problem is that although it's got a brilliant script, the film will only appeal to a small select audience. Die-hard Clinton lovers will NOT appreciate the film as it's a thinly veiled criticism of the Clinton presidency--particularly since the film is about some completely amoral spin-doctors doing ANYTHING to save the butt of an amoral politician. Clinton lovers probably can't admit the truth of this aspect of his personality. Die-hard Clinton haters will no doubt love the film. Frankly, I'm rather Libertarian in view and think the nonsense in this film could apply to ANY politician, so those jaded viewers (like myself) will probably appreciate the edgy and dark humor.

It's two weeks before the president's re-election and he's far ahead in the polls. A sex scandal allegation with an underage "Firefly Girl" erupts threatening his lead. Spin doctor Conrad Brean (Robert De Niro) comes up with an idea to redirect the talk to Albania. Along with Winifred Ames (Anne Heche),he recruits Hollywood producer Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman) to manufacture a fake war.

This is a brilliant satire with just enough realism for the audience to question whether this is actual reality. De Niro and Hoffman are absolutely wonderful. The humor is biting. It hits both politics and Hollywood. The title literally infects the popular lexicon. It's a wonderfully funny satire.