Movie of the Week – In the Loop

This week’s movie: In the Loop (2009).

The satire revolves around the buildup to war in Iraq in 2003. The U.S. President and U.K. Prime Minister have put in motion the steps towards declaring war, but not everyone is convinced that it is a good idea so they order their underlings to fabricate evidence to justify intervention. British Secretary of State for International Development Simon Foster (who is a bit of a dope) mistakenly backs military action in a TV interview and is suddenly thrust into the middle of the debate for war – a place he should never be.

Writer-director Armando Iannucci is the perfect fit for a political satire such as this, coming from I’m Alan Partridge. He has since created the fantastic political comedy series Veep. On In the Loop, he worked with composer Adem Ilhan, cinematographer Jamie Cairney, and production designer Cristina Casali.

The ensemble cast features Tom Hollander (who plays Simon Foster), Peter Capaldi (who is amazing in the film), Gina McKee, Chris Addison, Zach Woods, Mimi Kennedy, Anna Chlumsky, David Rasche, James Gandolfini, and Steve Coogan.

In the Loop is one of the most hysterical political satires in recent memory. It also does a great job shedding light on the complete catastrophe that actually was the intelligence used by the allied governments in convincing their peoples that war was necessary (something we have all come to realize was fabricated nonsense), though probably somewhat exaggerated for comedic effect (as this is after all fiction – while the reality is shameful and sad). For fans of political satire, there is not much better than this (especially from a writing perspective).

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and Streaming