In the Loop

In the Loop, directed by Armando Iannucci and written by Jesse Armstrong & Simon Blackwell, is a very funny and very scary political satire.

The action takes place in London, a rural area of England, Washington, DC and New York. The US and UK want to start a war in a Middle Eastern country (we do not know which country but use your imagination) but not everyone agrees with this. We get to see how both sides (pro and anti war) work and how, with many manipulations, a war can get started. Of course, the film is fiction but I think that some of what happens in the film might actually be true.

Peter Capaldi plays minister Malcolm Tucker. He is a foul mouthed, wicked sort of a man. Tom Hollander plays minister Simon Foster, a lower keyed man who is against the war. Gina McKee plays Judy, Foster's assistant. And James Gandolfini plays General George Miller, an anti war military man. There are other wonderful actors in the cast as well.

The plot is very interesting and the dialog is sharp. The acting is spot on by everyone but Capaldi truly stands out. I could see this film getting a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture in the Musical/Comedy category.

Although I liked this film very much it is not for everyone. You have to like this type of scathing British humor. Some people walked out of the theater shaking their heads. But if you like razor sharp political satire that is very timely then In the Loop is for you.