Filmmakers have found a wealth of story material in these politically charged times. Most of these films haven’t been shy about shoving their message (right or left-wing) down our throats. There isn’t much subtlety going on in In the Loop, but it’s one of the best political satires in recent memory. It’s sharply written and impeccably performed. Writer/director Armando Iannucci created the hit BBC series The Thick of It, think The West Wing by way of The Office. In the Loop is essentially a spin-off shot in a documentary-style that turns the audience into a fly on the wall for the Machiavellian machinations of politicos.
The film begins with Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), a Minister for International Development, though I have no idea what that entails. In fact, most of characters have similarly obtuse titles that don’t give us a single clue as to exactly what the Hell they do. Anyways, during a radio interview Foster calls the looming war in the Middle East “unforeseeable.” This opens a Pandora’s Box as Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), the British Prime Minister’s Director of Communication, storms into Foster’s office ready to bite everyone’s heads off. Tucker is a perpetually angry individual with a short fuse and no off switch, constantly launching into profanity-laced tirades. Tucker demands Foster keep his mouth shut and “tow the line.” But, Foster continues to put his foot in his mouth when he announces, we must “climb the mountain of conflict.” His inane rambling is quickly turned into a catchphrase for one of those ridiculous motivation posters.
In way over his head, Foster is invited to Washington, D.C., where members of both sides of the war debate hope to use him as a pawn in their game. Poor Simon is considered nothing more than "meat" in the room. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) and Lt. General Miller (James Gandolfini) are the flag bearers for the anti-war movement. Clarke’s assistant Liza Weld (Anna Chlumsky) has written a detailed report on the cons on going to war. The pro side is led by Linton Barwick (David Rasche), a thinly-veiled Donald Rumsfeld, who hides his war committee behind the intentionally vague and bland title of the Future Planning Committee. Back home, Foster’s career takes a beating when a man (Steve Coogan) complains that the wall of Foster’s headquarters is crumbling into his mother’s rose garden. Ah, delicious irony.
While the debate on war is a primary aspect of the film, we never actually hear anyone debating the actual issues or logistics. The politicians are far more concerned with backstabbing and spin doctoring. The plot is rather thin, but it’s the dialogue that is the film’s centerpiece. The lines are hilarious and unapologetically vulgar. A running gag in the script is the exceptional youth of the staff assistants, the real foot soldiers in Capitol Hill. One character notes, ”…it’s like Bugsy Malone, but with real guns.” I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud when one of Foster’s staffers, the nerdy bespectacled Toby (Chris Addison) is constantly referred to by names like Ron Weasley and Frodo. In the Loop is easily one of the best films of the year.
Rating: *** 1/2
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