In the Loop (2009)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Armando Iannucci

Writers:

Jesse Armstrong (written by)
Simon Blackwell (written by)

Release Date:

17 April 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

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...

Plot Keywords:

Satire | Politics | White House | 10 Downing Street | United Nations

Cast

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

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | New Zealand:R13

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

BBC Films

Trivia:

Director Armando Iannucci provides the voice over for when the UN resolution passes.

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.

Quotes:

Judy: You know they're all kids in Washington? It's like Bugsy Malone, but with real guns.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Have I Got News for You: (#37.2)" (2009)

Not as sharp or clever as hoped but still very funny

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.