Wag the Dog (original title), released in Turkey on March 13, 1998, is an American comedy film directed by Barry Levinson. The screenplay was written by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, adapted from a concept by Larry Beinhart. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, and Denis Leary in the leading roles.

^{Wag the Dog – Official Trailer (Tue Nguyen)}

Plot

Only two weeks remain until the American presidential elections. When a scandal involving the President and a young girl in the Oval Office comes to light, his chances of winning the election vanish. In an attempt to manage the crisis, the President’s team assigns media consultant Conrad Brean to divert public attention. Brean collaborates with a Hollywood producer to create a fake war scenario. Through fabricated news, supporting footage, and media manipulation, the American public is convinced of the existence of a war that never actually happened.

Theme

The film questions how political power can shape reality through media influence. It explores themes such as politics, manipulation, public opinion control, and the blurring line between fiction and reality. Especially during election periods, the film addresses the use of perception management and the instrumentalization of media.

Cast and Characters

Dustin Hoffman – Stanley Motss

Robert De Niro – Conrad Brean

Denis Leary – Fad King

Anne Heche – Winifred Ames

Willie Nelson – Johnny Dean

Andrea Martin – Liz Butsky

Kirsten Dunst – Tracy Lime

William H. Macy – CIA Agent Charles Young

Awards and Nominations

The film was nominated for and won various national and international awards.

Academy Awards (1998):

Best Actor (Nominee) – Dustin Hoffman

Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet

Berlin International Film Festival (1998):

Silver Bear – Special Jury Prize (Winner) – Barry Levinson

Golden Bear – Best Film (Nominee) – Barry Levinson

Golden Globe Awards (1998):

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Nominee)

Best Actor – Comedy or Musical (Nominee) – Dustin Hoffman

Best Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet

BAFTA Awards (1999):

Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominee) – Hilary Henkin, David Mamet

SİYAD – Turkish Film Critics Association Awards (1998):

Best Foreign Film (Nominee) – 7th place

Other nominations: Satellite Awards, National Society of Film Critics, Critics' Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, WGA Awards, OFTA Awards, and 20/20 Felix Awards.

Among the winners, Anne Heche received the Best Supporting Actress award from the National Board of Review in 1997, shared with her role in Donnie Brasco.

Box Office

The film was produced on a budget of approximately $15 million. It grossed a total of $43,061,945 in the United States and Canada. The worldwide gross was $64,256,513. During its opening weekend (December 28, 1997), it earned $92,079 in the US and Canada.

Significance of the Film

Wag the Dog stands out for its satirical take on the relationship between politics and media. It offers a sharp perspective on how the perception of reality can be altered through media. The film explores concepts such as information manipulation and public opinion control during election periods. It also highlights the blurred boundaries between producing, journalism, and political consulting. With Barry Levinson’s direction and the performances of Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, the film became one of the notable productions of its time.