Review: In the Loop
November 15th 2009 01:00
In the Loop (2009, Iannucci)
Written November 14, 2009
It’s hard to imagine you’ll have more fun with a film this year than In the Loop. The film, directed by Armando Iannucci, is in fact a spin-off of his BBC series The Thick of It. The Thick of It also satirizes politics and includes two characters featured in the film, one of these being Malcolm Tucker (played to acid tongue perfection by Peter Capaldi).
The film is shot in a documentary style ala The Office UK (but without direct address to the camera) and utilizes handheld cameras as the filmmaking technique, creating an immediate, chaotic setting. The plot spins wildly out of control in the best possible ways. It begins simple enough: the Minister for International Development, Simon Foster (played by Tom Hollander) inadvertently makes a stance regarding war when he states it is “unforeseeable”. This in turn sets off a political firestorm which spans from London to Washington, D.C. Numerous key players are introduced and everyone has their own agenda. Simon soon becomes a pawn in a pro-war agenda. This is the funniest satire in years.
The remainder of the plot is not worth focusing on. As mentioned, there are multiple agendas occurring and many characters are corrupt with duel motivations. What matters is the incredible intensity of this lightening fast satire. The dialogue is hilarious and utterly quotable. The wit is quick and inherently British; always a plus. The cast is spot-on. Everyone is perfect in their roles and each adds something memorable to the film. Peter Capaldi is the minor stand-out. Minor because everyone is incredible that it is almost unfair to single one person out. Yet Capaldi, due to the nature of his role, cannot be ignored. He fires off one-line insults, one after another, like a shotgun. For most, it would take a good few minutes to come up with such succinct insults; Malcolm has them all stored up. Even more amusing, perhaps, are the reactions or non-reactions to his cutting words. Peter Capaldi should without a doubt receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination and the entire case must be recognized for Ensemble at the SAG awards.
While watching the film, you will most definitely assume it is supposed to take place during the Bush Administration, as it is far too easy to satire those years in American History. The Thick of It was created during Bush’s reign and thus In the Loop’s release may not appear as timely as Armando Iannucci’s original creation. Regardless, this does not detract from the film in anyway. In fact, there have been quite a few promotional posters which attempt to link the film with the current administration by parodying the infamous Obama poster. The best features Malcolm’s image with words, “No You F****** Can’t”.
As with all good satire, no one is safe from ridicule. Yet there is no real malice in In the Loop; only the suggestion that everyone in government hierarchy has an agenda and therefore, like The X-files warned, we should trust no one.
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