A group of English and American politicians try to prevent
their respective leaders from going to war in the Middle East. COMEDY
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In the Loop (2009)Directed by Armando Iannucci
Written by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche Starring Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini, Gina McKee, Olivia Poulet, Chris Addison, David Rasche Spin-Off of the 2005-2012 TV series The Thick of It Oscar Nominations - Best Adapted Screenplay |
Political satire is an art form, and it can fail just as easily as it can succeed. What you need is a devoted writer and director like Armando Iannucci, who can take the most outrageous parts of the American and British governments and exaggerate them to the point of being unrecognizable as a functioning system. In the Loop does exactly that, with a talented cast and an impossibly brilliant screenplay filled with the most impressive insults I've ever heard in a movie.
When a cabinet minister (Hollander) makes a comment that war with the Middle East is "unforeseeable," his team of spin doctors tries to calm the impending storm. Communications chief Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi, in his greatest performance) has the difficult job of keeping everyone in line so they don't fuck up on camera anymore. But while he tries to keep his chickens in the coop, the Americans come closer and closer to a declaration of war. What follows is a hilarious back-and-forth between the two parties, with nobody really having any idea what they're supposed to say. Frankly, it's the best glimpse at real-life politics I've ever seen. In the Loop was based on the popular BBC comedy series The Thick of It. I haven't watched that series yet, but this movie really makes me want to check it out. This film is downright hilarious and really smart, with a great cast and an even greater screenplay. |
This is a hilarious movie that perfectly pokes fun at politics and, especially, the buildup to the Iraq War following 9/11. The film is full of great jokes and one-liners that you'll be crying from laughter. The cast is perfect in their respective roles. Peter Capaldi is perfect as the vulgar spewing politician, saying some of the best jokes in the film. Tom Hollander was also excellent as the idiotic Simon Foster, creating some of the best laughs in the film. This was a sharp satire that perfectly poked fun at politicians and the events leading to the Iraq War.
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