Review: In the Loop

Political Theatre

Whenever one views a movie no matter how many times, I always say that the optimal place to see that film is in the dimly lit theatre, preferably accompanied by the steaming bucket of warm, buttery popcorn with that indistinguishable movie theatre taste that is paired with an unnaturally large cup of some carbonated soda. I love that setting and try to grab it as often as I can. Sometimes, though, the experience eludes me, and before I know it, it's six months later and the popcorn is a microwaveable leftover from Orville Redenbacher, the soda's a Wild Cherry Pepsi hidden tucked under the sliced fruit, and the theatre is a compact living room with a high definition set hanging above the fireplace in the distance. However, this film has offered both opportunities to watch, since it is being simultaneously made available for viewing in theaters and on pay-per-view. Unfortunately, I experienced the film through the latter, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy one of the funniest films of the year.

The film offers up a biting satirical perspective on how the political participants in the United States and Great Britain both engineered complacent involvement in the war in Iraq, even though the country itself is never specifically named. A British politician (Tom Hollander) mistakenly states that a conflict in the middle east is "unforeseeable". This attracts media attention and automatically he is flown out to Washington, along with his aide Toby (Chris Addison), to be a political catchphrase as the American politicians march towards war. However, a fellow Brit in charge, the foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is sent to overlook everything his meeker counterpart is involved in, constantly berating him, but always seem like the smartest guy in the room.

Admittedly, this movie might cause some to be disenfranchised with many of the moments delivered in those heavy accents that manage to fly by as quick as they can. It's a challenge to the ear, yes, but it is also when you get a real sense of the comedic timing that all these actors have. Capaldi, in particular, manages to steal every scene he's in and always knows what his character demands. Sometimes he'll rip out a brilliant comeback based on observational humor. Other times he'll rely on the obscenities. In both cases, he manages to find a place for them to work, and you'll be laughing equally at both. Hollander, whose mostly known as Beckett for the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels, captures that nervous energy quite sublimely, and his banter with Addison is always a refreshing bit.

However, it is not only the Brits that deliver in this film. James Gandolfini plays an American general working with an executive secretary (Mimi Kennedy) to dig out information about the war and present the evidence against it. Anna Chulmsky is her assistant, and her energy and timing goes well in hand with and love/hate affair with Toby as well as some really quick banter with her rival co-worker Chad which is so funny you'd think it'd have to be improvised. Then, there's David Rasche, a good actor who embodies the politician pushing for the war. He's not cartoonishly evil nor grossly incompetent. He is smart, quick, and decisive without ever fitting into a character type.

Nobody in this film, thankfully, fits into a neat little type. Director Armando Iannucci and his plethora of co-writers do a great service by stripping away any predictable plot points or overbearing political messages and instead have blanketed their canvas with really smart characters. There's a great kinetic energy in the film, and every scenes rolls deliciously into the other. In truth, there's so much energy that it almost feels like we would need more time to get to know these characters, such as in a TV show (which is fitting since the original concept was conceived as a BBC miniseries). You really get wanting more time especially at the end, which cuts off in a rather abrupt and unsatisfying way. As interesting as these characters were, it would have been nice to give them an ending that wound down a little more naturally. However, it's the only false note the story strikes.

I wish there were more comedies like this, because it is one that makes use of its surroundings for the humor. Not necessarily the plot, but more how the characters interact with one another. The plot really becomes more of an afterthought, which is not very insulting since we all know how the situation ultimately turns out. The cast is spot on, always delivering great timing and howling laughs, and the stripped down direction and story allows interests to grow and the one-liners to spit out. I don't care if you see this with a gigantic screen and the buttery fingers or in a small room with flat soda. This is an uproariously funny film, full of smart sophistication. ***1/2 / ****; GRADE: A-