Image credit: IFC Films, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, New Line Cinema, SPE
We sure do love to laugh at our political system.
1. "In the Loop" (2009) A bumbling British minister inadvertently backs a war in the Middle East and now, chaos ensues. "In the Loop" is a razor-sharp comedy which takes a satirical dig at the intricacies of British and U.S. politics leading up to a war.
Amidst a sea of PR blunders, backstabbing bureaucrats, and hysterical military commanders, it's a circus of political fiascos. If you ever wondered how politics and profanity mix, Malcolm Tucker has some "colorful" lessons for you.
2. "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007) Ever heard of the expression "politics makes strange bedfellows"? This one's a prime example. Tom Hanks plays Charlie Wilson, a pleasure-loving Texas congressman. His unlikely alliance? A wealthy socialite (played by Julia Roberts) and a cynical CIA agent (Philip Seymour Hoffman in a stand-out role). Their goal? To aid Afghan mujahideen in their war against the Soviets.
It's a thrilling take on how a few individuals, driven by their own motivations, can reshape the course of history.
3. "Thank You for Smoking" (2005) No, it's not a public health advertisement. The movie orbits around Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), a smooth-talking lobbyist for Big Tobacco. His job? Making sure you believe that smoking isn't all that bad.
As he schmoozes politicians and spins stories on talk shows, we get a ringside view of the smoke and mirrors world of lobbying. With a young son looking up to him, Nick's moral compass gets tested. Will he choose conscience over career?
4. "The Day Shall Come" (2019) How far would you go to make a political point? For Moses Al Shabaz, who leads a small commune in Miami, it's a wild ride as he gets entangled with law enforcement. The FBI, looking for a PR win, tries to frame Moses as a criminal, thinking he'd be an easy target. But, as with any good satire, things don't go as planned.
It's a ridiculous game of cat and mouse, giving us chuckles and leaving us with some thoughts on the state of surveillance and entrapment in the U.S.
5. "Bob Roberts" (1992) Folk singer turned politician, Bob Roberts (Tim Robbins) is not your usual Senate candidate. He's young, he's hip, and he can strum a guitar. But beneath that charming exterior lies a conservative agenda.
As a documentary crew follows his campaign, it's evident that his rise isn't just about catchy tunes. Media manipulation, anyone? The movie's a clear nudge to how showbiz and politics often intertwine.
6. "Election" (1999) High school politics? Yep, it's just as dirty and hilarious as the real deal. Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, an over-ambitious student ready to clinch the title of Student Body President. But her teacher, Mr. McAllister, isn't having it. As he tries to thwart her campaign, the school election turns into a battleground of scandals and sneaky tactics.
It's funny because it's true – power struggles can happen anywhere, even in a high school gym.
7. "Wag the Dog" (1997) This film's relevance is uncanny even now, in 2023. Before a U.S. President's re-election, a scandal breaks. Solution? Distract the public with a fake war, of course!
Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman) and a PR expert (Robert De Niro) join forces to sell the war to the American people. A catchy song, a heartbreaking backstory, and some creative visuals – voila! A war story that everyone can get behind.
The tagline "A Hollywood producer. A Washington spin-doctor. When they get together, they can make you believe anything" pretty much sums it up.
8. "The Interview" (2014) Dave Skylark (James Franco), a goofy talk-show host, and his producer (Seth Rogen) land an interview with North Korea's Kim Jong-un. But before they can pop the champagne, the CIA recruits them for an assassination mission. As expected, things don't go smoothly.
The movie's a riot, poking fun at international politics, media culture, and the very idea of diplomacy itself.
9. "Lord of War" (2005) Gunrunning isn't a topic you'd associate with comedy, but that's where "Lord of War" stands out. Nicolas Cage plays Yuri Orlov, an arms dealer who finds himself in the middle of some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones. From evading a relentless Interpol agent to dealing with dictators, it's a wild ride.
It's a movie that, while having its share of action sequences, humorously shines a light on the global arms trade.
10. "Idiocracy" (2006) Ever wondered what the future holds? This Mike Judge creation takes us 500 years ahead, where an average Joe (literally named Joe, played by Luke Wilson) wakes up from a hibernation experiment to find America dumbed down beyond his wildest imagination.
With a wrestling champ as the president and the most popular TV show titled "Ow My Balls!", it's a laugh-out-loud commentary on the trajectory of pop culture and politics.
