X
- 2009
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2009
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
Summary With razor-sharp, truly laugh-out-loud dialogue the film pokes fun at the absurdity and ineptitude of our highest leaders. With everyone looking out for number one, and the fate of the free world at stake (but apparently incidental), the hilarious ensemble cast of characters bumbles its way through Machiavellian political dealings, acros...
Directed By: Armando Iannucci
- 2009
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
- 2009
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 46 m
In the Loop
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary With razor-sharp, truly laugh-out-loud dialogue the film pokes fun at the absurdity and ineptitude of our highest leaders. With everyone looking out for number one, and the fate of the free world at stake (but apparently incidental), the hilarious ensemble cast of characters bumbles its way through Machiavellian political dealings, acros...
Directed By: Armando Iannucci
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
83
97% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
3% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 31 Critic Reviews
83
97% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
3% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Hands down the funniest movie I've seen all year and also the smartest.
Britain's diplomatic corps may be as clueless and impotent as In the Loop suggests, but British comedians are fully capable of taking over the world.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 95 User Ratings
7.8
81% Positive
77 Ratings
77 Ratings
13% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
6% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 95 User Ratings
7.8
81% Positive
77 Ratings
77 Ratings
13% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
6% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
In The Loop is the wish fulfillment of every bloody fan who wanted to see so much of the cast of The Thick of It and the sheer masterclass the whole team there pulled in its last two episodes of its final season.
Not only is classic Ianucci-esque storyline that has all the nasty humor and abusive wit of the show that was but there are now additional performances from a talented additional cast that includes James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander, Zach Wood & others whose level of hilariousness knows no bounds.
As is already known, the camera work compliments the narration so well that not only do you listen to the fun but it is almost as if you feel it. That's how good it is and that is why you should watch it.
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As a ranking cabinet minister in the brutally funny political satire In the Loop, actor Peter Capaldi unfurls dazzling verbal ribbons of the foulest language imaginable, thunderbolts of vulgarity that carry the force of precision carpet-bombing.
Generous with its humor and spares no sacred cows, especially when it comes to the American political system.
It's often obscenely funny, but it tickles more than it stings.
By the end of the film, you just want to get away from these people.
This satire, while anything but subtle, possesses an unwaveringly incisive edge and adeptly encapsulates its intended message. However, I must admit that it falls short of achieving this in a genuinely entertaining way.
I commend the choice to weave the narrative through characters who might typically be dismissed as inconsequential middle-tier figures, as it serves as a timely reflection of the inner workings of politics. Yet, while it doesn't entirely compensate for its deficiency in a more meticulously constructed storyline, I find it difficult to claim I disliked it.
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First off, I feel I have to point out the constant profanities (ie. swearing) resent throughout this film - its not for the easily offended, swearing wise, shall we say lol hence the 15 rating as many especially crude words are uttered multiple times, such as the 'f' word and even the 'c' word. You've been warned(!).
The way its filmed, it looks scarily realistic. I suppose there is some slightly shaky camerawork - its quite a quick moving, um, film and you need to give it your full attention to keep up with the storyline. It definitely has that on the go, documentary type feel to it, as if the scenes were recorded by some secret undercover reporter or something similar. I found myself thinking it reminded me of the US drama 24 in terms of the pace, obviously the political element in general and the ominous undertone, plus the fact we (as viewer) know who is leaking what fairly early on and just have to see how things pan out.
I felt that this seemed more like a longer version of a TV show rather than a feature film in itself - obviously it does have its own story but I wouldn't say it has quite the usual start, middle and end format that most sort of typical films do. Of course this is basically the film version of the UK TV program entitled 'The Thick Of It' but you don't have to have seen the program in order to understand or enjoy the film, though I believe it features many of the same characters, such as Malcolm Tucker, the foul mouthed spin doctor played by the current Doctor Who actor, Peter Capaldi. It was amusing enough seeing him portray such a different character, definitely less child friendly than Doctor Who! he says things as they are - yes, one of 'those' characters. The dialogue is very quick and sharp between Malcolm and colleagues, constant sniping at one another, finger pointing and blame passing etc. yes, welcome to the world of political spin(!).
I found myself feeling entertained by some of the things the film pokes fun at, such as the use (importance/bewilderment (certainly by us poor general public)) of buzz words and the like. Certain 'off the cuff' phrases are picked up and used to certain characters discomfort. There are some fairly serious messages or themes covered, things that may make you think about the media and politics, what goes on and so forth but mainly its an entertaining comedy drama more than anything else, I'd say.
Other noteworthy characters include Simon Foster, the British Minister for Internatonal Development, played by Tom Hollander and Toby Wright, a young, newly hired assistant I presumed, played by Chris Addison. The two of them play bumbling fools and play their parts quite well - Simon proving himself to be of little use when appearing at certain important committee meetings both in Britain and in Washington (DC, USA). It amused me that it was left to Malcolm to pick up the numerous pieces and to try and get them to tow the line, so to speak. Also appearing in the film is the late James Gandolfini, who plays Lt. General George Miller, a military official who is also quite gruff and to the point. Steve Coogan also plays a small-ish part, portraying Paul Michaelson, a local constituent who keeps pestering Simon about his troublesome wall in his back garden (believe it or not).
This is quite an amusing, diverting film - its pretty dark in humour and obviously is mainly on a political theme and all the rest of it but I did enjoy it for the most part, although if your not keen on heavy swearing then this will likely offend you and thus not be for you. Yes I'd recommend this film, as I thought it was pretty entertaining and diverting and it seems almost scarily realistic. Its not too boring or dry and it doesn't go on for hours and hours, (at around about an hour and 45 minutes in total), so it could be worse. However, it isnt for the easily offended, due to the heavy swearing present and if your not at all interested in politics and UK-US relations, then this may well bore you or otherwise not interest you from the outset. There are numerous (political) satirical shows and films around - this one is pretty good but maybe not the best of the best? - its certainly not awful either though.
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If your idea of being entertained, is listening to a 100 minute long saga of people cursing and shouting on eachother, you are better of with the jerry springer boxset. Yes the dialogues are snap, but they loose their edge very quickly because of all the potty-mouthing. And the concept is not very new either as political games and their hypocrisy behind the scenes, were already portrayed in good movies such as wag the dog, which is far more entertaining.
I feel like i wasted 2 euros on this (bought it cheap), even tough i'm a big fan of Tony Soprano...
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The problem with this movie is it has 4 writers.. and probably 3 of them are funny. The fourth is a pretentious **** and their influence taints all of the otherwise funny cracks with a sort of pompous self importance that renders them boring. You will sit and acknowledge each joke one by one while not raising so much as a chuckle, but recognising that underneath, they had something. It's a shame. Some people say this movie's too smart for most people and you have to be intelligent to 'get it'. The irony is, if you're really intelligent, you're past getting it. You've had it.
Here's an example of a joke: Him: "You look beautiful", her: "Oh thank you, I bet you say that to all the girls.", him: "I do. And some of the soldiers, too." ha ... ha?
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Production Company
BBC Film,
UK Film Council,
Aramid Entertainment Fund,
Echelon Productions, Inc.
Release Date Jul 24, 2009
Duration 1 h 46 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Tagline The fate of the world is on the line.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
British Independent Film Awards
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
London Critics Circle Film Awards
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
