Customer Reviews

In the Loop

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anyone who thinks profanity is lazy or cheap needs to watch 'In the Loop', because this movie turns cursing into an art form. Beyond that, it's a great parody of how government policy is shaped by wet-behind-ears kids.

The main draw of this movie is actor Peter Capaldi, who plays Malcolm Tucker, a thinly-veiled parody of former UK Director of Communications Alistair Campbell. He is by far the most entertaining / funny / horrifying part of this movie. He spews out angry, well-versed Scottish-tinged vitriol unlike any other character I've seen on screen. I don't think I'm allowed enough room to list all my favorite quotes from this movie, and 95% of them would come from Tucker's character. Beyond that, this wouldn't be a G-rated review if I could list all my favorite quotes (the C-word would figure pretty prominently). If you like fast-talking British comedy and all the cursing that might come with it, you will like this movie.

Beyond the draw of Tucker's character, this movie is a great comment of the forces driving government policy. The plot involves a drive by the US to invade an unnamed Middle-Eastern country, and a bumbling UK Minister is drawn into the debate by virtue of his own ineptitude. The movie doesn't try to be preachy or overly political about current North American / UK policy in the Middle-East. Instead, it uses a contemporary situation to satirize government.

I think if you're a fan of Brit comedies like 'I'm Alan Partridge' or the UK version of 'The Office', you might really enjoy this movie. But even if you're unfamiliar with those and just like a good satire, this is worth a watch.

I love The Thick Of It, so thought I'd love the related movie. It is good, but not great. The series is sooo much better.

In The Loop is the most blistering portrayal of political machinations I have ever seen put to film. Peter Capaldi plays the British Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, the man who controls the British governmental ecosystem. He is absolutely brilliant as the foul-mouthed Machiavellian puppet master who tells Ministers off, and instills the fear of god in the people who supposedly make decisions. Having spent over 25 years in government myself, I can totally relate to the construct and the whole notion of the dog who barks the loudest wins. The movie shows how egos and perceptions lead to bad decision-making and bad policy-making. In The Loop has a stellar cast of British and American actors, including James Gandolfini, who plays a four-star general who is a dove camouflaged as a gung-ho hawk.

Did I mention this is a comedy?

Fans of The Thick of It will love this... but so will ordinary people who enjoy a bit of British humour and satire! This film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and for good reason. The cast is extraordinary; those that migrated from The Thick of It (Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, Paul Higgins, James Smith, and Alex MacQueen, to name a few) and new faces (James Gandolfini, Anna Chlumsky Mimi Kennedy, to name a few) make this an absolutely hilarious comedy that bites fiercely into satire.

The plot is very familiar to those updated with the news of the last decade; British minister Simon Foster (played by Tom Hollander) slips up from his party's official line in saying "war is unforeseeable." In the forthcoming teeter-totterings recognizable to those in politics (and those who've watched The Thick of It!), Simon Foster becomes a "meat puppet" for those in Washington for and against declaring war "in the Middle East."

Reason #1 the film succeeds: it doesn't try to give an optimistic light to things. It gives a gritty look at what really happened, and doesn't bother with a "feel good" result. The brilliant minds behind this are the same behind the multiple award-winning series The Thick of It.

As for the hilariously inventive swearing, reminiscent to those who know The Thick of It? Simply the cherry on top. Indeed, not overdone at all. This is a very realistic and dark portrayal of "what really happened" that everyone should watch. Brilliantly funny satire!

Great movie with hard hitting (often violently blue) dialogue that examines the machinations and political thrusts and counter thrusts and individual motivations behind a world crisis. The world as it is.

i found this political satire quite funny at times.it's quite zany.it moves at a rapid fire,manic pace.i'm sure they just gave the actors free reign to add lib for a lot of the scenes.and it works.there is lots of coarse language,but it's not mean spirited.that's the thing.when the Brits use coarse language,it seems funnier.at least that's been my experience in any British movies/TV shows i've seen.there are also Americans in the cast,and they're also funny.anyway,i really thought his film was a riot.if you're feeling a bit down pop this little gem in your machine,it'll have you in stitches in no time.for me,In the Loop is a 4/5