I just saw this movie. It was great, very dark, but I agreed with Daniela's description: the movie made the idea that corporations are controlling the government sound like a conspiracy theory. Frankly, the idea that corporations have at least a major influence in government is almost universally accepted and many people have no trouble believing the influence spreads further than that.

The movie is based on a book by Richard Condon. There was an earlier attempt at the movie, starring Frank Sinatra, which flopped.

On speaking to someone about the above ideas it was pointed out that the book was written during the Korean war when the idea of brainwashing was a real threat. At least one person (an M.D.) thinks the CIA has engaged in research like this.

UPDATE: spelling, arrg.