In The Loop - Review

Unforseeable is the only way to describe just how good In the Loop would be. Having seen an episode of The Thick of It (i've since watched the entire 1st series) I had an idea of how insanely funny Armando Ianucci's directorial debut about the ineptitude of the British and US governments are, especially in relation to the decision to go to war, but In the Loop is a classic British comedy, which could only have been made on this side of the Atlantic. Not only does it expose the falleability of government but it demonstrates how personalities and hmuan error is almost always catastrophic. Ianucci portrays British policitians as imbeciles who have no answers to the questions put to them, but are certain that they should have a comment and will more often than not make one against all advice to the contrary.

The film kicks off with when Secretary for State for International Development Simon Foster describes the possibility for a war in the Middle East as unforseeable and sets of a shit storms of transatlantic magnitude as a visiting contingent of American politicians jump on the phrase and use it to set up secret talks and discussions about going to war.

The film offers up too many classic scenes to go into any details but one which will stay with you for its visual brilliance is a scene between a high ranking government official and a US military general who discuss the possibility of going to war in a little girls bedroom, and at one moment the US military general (played superbly by James Gandolfini) uses toys as props to explain the problems with not having suffucient troops.

One of the most joyous things about the film is its vibrant use of langauge. Peter Calpaldi's Malcolm Tucker has such a foul mouth and is so inventive with his use of swear words that you are equal parts impressed and apalled by what he says. Whilst at the same time fighting back the tears of laughter.

British comedy is rarely this good, normally because its too broad and trying to appeal to the masses, but if you are a fan of genuinely excellent comedy with insightfully hilarious views on ours and the US government then you will find no better example than In the Loop.