In The LoopWho knew Anglo-American relations could be so funny? Directed by Armando Lannucci, “In the Loop” shows just how loopy politicians can be. Be prepared for a nonstop ride of satirical humour made famous by the Brits.

After Simon Foster, a bumbling British minister for international development played by Tom Hollander, unknowingly backs a U.S. war in the Middle East (by suggesting war is “unforeseeable”) during an interview, the Prime Minister’s communications chief (Peter Capaldi) is left to clean up the mess as tension rises amongst both countries.

Soon enough, British government officials land in Washington, D.C., where a U.S. General (James Gandolfini) thinks war is just a crazy idea and the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Diplomacy (Mimi Kennedy) tries to infiltrate the War committee. Foster continues to make things worst by trying to gatecrash a slew of government meetings while his young assistant (Chris Addison) gets distracted by a sexy American intern (Anna Chlumsky), which leads to a United National Security Council vote that makes war seem “unforeseeable.”

See, I wasn’t joking about the roller coaster part, nor the comedy. “In the Loop” features nonstop dialogue back and forth, due in part to Capaldi’s character (said to be a satirized version of real-life British politician Alastair Campbell), Malcolm Tucker. For every adjective used by Malcolm, two or more profanities follow (his favourite is “horse cock”). Capaldi delivers by far the standoff performance in this film (a character he also plays in the British TV series “The Thick of It”). But after all, the script is simply hilarious. Judge for yourself. Here’s a sample of what to expect:

“Good luck at the Foreign Affairs office. Try not to piss off Russia.”

And don’t worry, this isn’t the type of movie that uses up its catchphrases in the trailers, there are plenty more throwaway lines where that one came from. In fact, that’s all the characters do: throw insults at each other (but in a very funny manner).

Hollander does a great job portraying the slightly clueless Simon Foster and Chlumsky (who was made famous in the 90’s alongside Macaulay Culkin in “My Girl”) proves she has a knack for comedy playing Kennedy’s assistant in the movie.

Just be warned that this is not an easy-breezy type of movie. Viewers who daze off for even a second may find themselves sweating to keep up with the back and forth ping pong game that is the dialogue. Don’t go into “In the Loop” expecting “The Hangover-like” humour. The only similarities “In the Loop” and “The Hangover” share is that they both have the letters “t” “h” and “o” in their titles, they’re two completely different comedies.

andPOP Rating - 4 Stars






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