1996, the best year in movie history, pt. 96: Wag the dog

What with the ongoing sex scandal and, now, a war, Wag the Dog (1997) is the obvious choice for this month. (Well, either it or Canadian Bacon [1995].)

Actors:
  • De Niro
  • Dunst
  • Harrelson
  • Heche
  • Hoffman
  • Macy
and
  • Willie Nelson (who directs a choir recording patriotic music, in scenes reminiscent of Nashville)
Wag the Dog is funny. It ticks a lot of boxes, satire-wise.

Trouble is, it’s not cynical enough.

This is almost a feel-good movie now. The country is that much worse.

The nineties were a gentler time.