Kirchmann have noted that it is nearly impossible to watch this movie without
speculating about the influence of Baudrillard, these intertextual analyses have been
rather superficial in nature. Thus, this investigation seeks to fill a significant research
gap by exploring these evident connections in a more systematic fashion.
Released in 1997, Wag the Dog was inspired by Larry Beinhart’s novel American
Hero (Stempel 60). Despite the evident humor that is omnipresent throughout the film,
Wag the Dog is a scathing indictment of the integrated political and social elite. This
dark comedic satire which delves into serious subjects also examines the mainstream
media’s complicity with the hegemonic forces that currently dominate the global
landscape. The simple premise of the film is an artistic representation of Baudrillard’s
hypothesis that the integral reality of simulated war is now upon us.
Specifically, Wag the Dog recounts the story of an incumbent presidential
candidate that becomes embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal just days before an
election that he is predicted to win. In order to diffuse these allegations temporarily to
ensure the president’s reelection, a public relations specialist nicknamed “Mr. Fix It”
(Robert De Niro) enlists the help of an acclaimed Hollywood director (Dustin Hoffman)
to produce a phony conflict with Albania. As Paul Roos explains, “De Niro was the spin
doctor for the President and Hoffman was the movie producer from L.A. Together they
carefully constructed a fictitious war against Albania, and a serviceman left behind
enemy lines before being killed, and returned home” (n.p.). Although this Hollywood
“pageant” takes a few unexpected twists and turns, De Niro and Hoffman succeed at
deceiving an unquestioning public beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. In fact, Stanley
Motss (Hoffman) will consider this court métrage to be the crowning achievement of his
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