In the Loop

While researching for his political satire "In the Loop," writer-director Armando Iannucci printed a picture of himself off of Google, created a makeshift press pass, and gained access to the U.S. State Department by showing the ID to a security guard and stating, "BBC. I'm here for the 12:30." Iannucci roamed freely to take pictures for his production designer. This suggests that what we see in "In the Loop" may not veer too far from reality.
From its opening frames, this is a film on the go, just like its characters. Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) is a man who should not be going anywhere. Certainly not in front of the press, but go he does. As a very important figure in the British government Simon declares the United States entering a war with an unnamed Middle Eastern country to be "unforeseeable." Simon's well-publicized blunder awakens the considerable wrath of the Prime Minister's director of communications, Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Malcolm is a profane force of nature, who makes it his mission in life to keep Simon's mouth shut. Within moments he's on the phone with the press declaring, "He did not say that war was unforeseeable. You may have heard him say it, but he did not, and that is a fact."
Simon's inability to keep his mouth shut does not make life easy for his young handler, Toby (Chris Addison), who cannot prevent Simon from telling the press that sometimes in order to have peace you must be willing to, "climb the mountain of conflict." A mortified Malcolm tells Simon, "You sounded like a Nazi Julie Andrews."
In an attempt to undo the damage and to show that war is neither "inevitable nor...evitable," Simon and Toby go to Washington, but of course no good can come of this.
"In the Loop" is a film that packs an enormous amount of content, well developed characters, and sharp political satire into 105 minutes. There is a lot going on and Iannucci seems to care more that we are able to keep up with the film's energy and pace than to understand all the ins and outs of the plot. That's what second viewings are for. Scripted with three other writers, Iannucci's characters and dialogue are absolutely fantastic. David Rasche (cult TV classic "Sledge Hammer") is outstanding as the disturbingly unqualified head of seemingly every committee in Washington and James Gandolfini shines as the most intelligent and rational character in the entire film. The fact that this character is a U.S. Army general is a nice surprise and a far cry from 90 percent of films featuring American generals.
Hollander, Addison, and Paul Higgins (as "the crossest man in Scotland") are all memorable and provide their characters great depth.
When you watch "In the Loop" however, it is clear that this film belongs to one man. As Malcom Tucker, Peter Capaldi is nothing short of comic dynamite. He's like Mozart or Picasso, but with swear words. It's not profanity for the sake of it. Malcolm Tucker is a living, fire-breathing f-bomb and you'd best stay out of his way. This is an incredible performance. He played it previously in the television series, "The Thick of It," which I want to devour as soon as possible.
"In the Loop" is a very smart and very funny movie that will probably only get better with future viewings. If you enjoy a good satire (and if you don't, what's your deal?) then this is an absolute must. The film is currently in limited release. In Seattle it is playing at the Harvard Exit. 9/10.

Here is a little taste for you. Be warned. This clip is rated Malcolm Tucker.