Wag the Dog

Wag the Dog is currently streaming on major platforms, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 1,065 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Dustin Hoffman is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Start it whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Wag the Dog is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in Wag the Dog land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war. Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1997. The timing in Wag the Dog is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Wag the Dog. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Dustin Hoffman's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.