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In the Loop
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In the Loop (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow) Videos (see all 6)
In the Loop (2009) -- This is the Dr. Strangelove-inspired theatrical trailer for In the Loop.
In the Loop (2009) -- The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war. But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing.
In the Loop (2009) -- A British government official becomes a major media figure after an offhanded comment in this political comedy
In the Loop (2009) -- UK
In the Loop (2009) -- UK

Overview

User Rating:
8.2/10   1,087 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Armando Iannucci
Writers:
Jesse Armstrong (written by)
Simon Blackwell (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for In the Loop on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 April 2009 (UK) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
The fate of the world is on the line.
Plot:
The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war. But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing... more | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(45 articles)
Thursday Trailers: In the Loop
 (From SoundOnSight. 26 June 2009, 12:04 AM, PDT)

In The Loop Brings Office Diplomacy To International Levels Of Funny
 (From Beyond Hollywood. 16 May 2009, 7:35 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Not as sharp or clever as hoped but still very funny more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Peter Capaldi ... Malcolm Tucker

Tom Hollander ... Simon Foster
Gina McKee ... Judy

James Gandolfini ... Lt. Gen. George Miller

Chris Addison ... Toby Wright

Anna Chlumsky ... Liza Weld

Enzo Cilenti ... Bob Adriano

Paul Higgins ... Jamie MacDonald

Mimi Kennedy ... Karen Clarke
Alex MacQueen ... Sir Jonathan Tutt
Johnny Pemberton ... A.J. Brown

Olivia Poulet ... Suzy

David Rasche ... Linton Barwick
Joanna Scanlan ... Roz
James Smith ... Michael Rodgers
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
106 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Filming Locations:
London, England, UK more
Company:
BBC Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Armando Iannucci provides the voice over for when the UN resolution passes. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Despite appearing less sober and inhibited, Liza and Toby are drinking bottles of Beck's non-alcoholic (blue label) at the bar in the Washington D.C. club. more
Quotes:
Judy: You know they're all kids in Washington? It's like Bugsy Malone, but with real guns. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Have I Got News for You: (#37.2)" (2009) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 8 people found the following comment useful:-
Not as sharp or clever as hoped but still very funny, 1 May 2009
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

Although I only really starting watching after season 1 ended and the specials had begun, I do love The Thick of It and generally like the work of Iannucci across television and radio, so, along with the clever posters for this film, I had lots of reasons to look forward to it and made my way to the cinema without too much delay. Essentially the film is a big screen version of the TV show and it is reasonable to expect all the strengths in terms of laughs and also the satirical edge. Certainly the plot appears to be clearly set up for this as it involves a UK Minister making a statement about the possibility of war in the Middle East (the official position being to have no position, whereas Simon Foster states it is unforeseeable). When he is confronted on this by the media he appears to state that war might be required, sending spin doctor Malcolm Tucker into a frenzy. The Minister is dispatched to the US, where the case for war is being built behind closed doors, and where he is embraced by both sides of the argument while Tucker frantically tries to ensure the UK political goals are achieved.

Some people have complained about the plot being complex; I don't see that myself but I do understand why some have issues with the overall story. Firstly, it lacks a strong ending because it just appears to "stop" in a way that is a little anti-climatic for a cinema audience used to having things conclude in a clear way. The main problem I had with the story and scenario was that it was not as clever or as sharp as I had expected it to be. It does the job in regards providing a story and a narrative structure but in terms of commentary and satire I thought it was slightly lacking. Minute to minute though this problem is covered up by the dialogue, which is as imaginatively crude as those used to the TV show will be used to. It isn't quite as good in some scenes because of the slightly weaker overall plot, but mostly the heavy swearing and aggressive tone makes it very funny. Seeing it in the cinema made me wonder why it was released as a big film rather than another special or series of specials – certainly there isn't much here other than the occasional shot of external locations that makes this feel cinematic.

I can also see why for some this will not be enough because it does rely heavily on this and fans of The Thick of It may also be disappointed for the same reasons. That said, this is not the cast's problem and they mostly deal very well with the material scene by scene. Of course the standout is Capaldi as he eats the scenery any chance he gets. His lines are the best and the film tends to work bets off his angry energy. By contrast Hollander plays the minister very well, being effectively weak and helpless. Addison was not given enough to do in my opinion and, like the guy playing Chad, wasn't fully utilised. Gandolfini is a coup as he brings a big name and a tough presence to the cast but again the weaker plot means that he is never used quite as well as I would have liked. Likewise, the majority of the cast fit in with the comedy of the moment even if they cannot do much about the bigger picture.

Overall, In The Loop is very funny and enjoyable in terms of its foul-mouthed energy and delivery from the majority of the cast. Where it falls down is in any aspect that goes beyond the moment as the plot lacks teeth and doesn't really stand up as being as intelligent or insightful as one might have hoped. Still, if you like sharp one-liners and swearing then there is much to enjoy here.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for In the Loop (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Does IFC actually intend to market this film? fathrtime55
WAY too many negative user reviews written on IMDB... JimCarreyisjustnotfunny
As I told the writer/director of this gem..... nhpbob
Is this playing anywhere in Belfast? EmpComm
Great movie. But Thick Of It special ' RISE OF THE NUTTERS' is better. piscesxxx
Best Quotes monkeynewsman
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