This interesting film takes the conspiracy genre but presents it from the point of view from the conspirators. Coupling this intriguing twist with an acutely witty script by the legendary David Mamet makes 'Wag the Dog' an unforgettable political satire. Robert De Niro plays a government spin doctor who is given the task of taking the media focus away from the President (who has just been caught in a closed room with a young girl), days before an election. Bill Clinton anyone?
The spin doctor decides to hire a Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman in one of his best roles) to publicise a fake war in Albania. All of the elements fall into place including a patriotic theme song by a folk singer (a wonderful cameo from Willie Nelson) and a national hero, who takes the form of a fragile soldier in 'the war'. All this propaganda makes the viewer wonder how many other wars have been given the same treatment.
%%youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnSauj2855M