Moustroll
Good movie but grossly overrated
Afouotos
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
smits59
Of course this is a parody on Blair and the lies that started the second Iraq war. But don't believe the 'clever' or 'fun' reviews.In the loop doesn't contain two jokes. The so called 'fun' is in people bullying, shouting at and demeaning other people. It is the same kind of fun you get at a bullfight or cockfight. No character is explained. You have to believe that either everybody is very stupid and/or cowardly or an utter bully. Nobody is normal or has morals (maybe there's one exception. If you don't like this review please go f*ck your self. And if you don't like my language, definitely don't watch this movie (or go and watch and you'll see why.
grantss
Insanely funny movie about British and American diplomats in the lead-up to a war. Incredibly sharp and witty dialogue. The one- liners come so thick and fast you will need to watch it a few times to make sure you didn't miss anything.Plot is good, though does lose focus from time to time. The plot is not important though - it is all about the dialogue.Given the razor-sharp script, you need people to deliver it, and the cast given that job is almost perfect for the assignment. To the fore is Peter Capaldi as the fast-talking expletive-loving name- calling nobody-respecting uber-intense Malcolm Tucker, the British government's head of communications. His performance is wildly over the top, and is side-splittingly funny.Tom Hollander plays the straight man to Capaldi's clown, and does it superbly. The remaining cast are good too - David Rasche, Anna Chlumsky, James Gandolfini, Mimi Kennedy, Gina McKee. Steve Coogan plays a low-key but excellent role as the disgruntled constituent.Surely one of the most under-hyped, understated, under-marketed masterpieces of all time.
morrison-dylan-fan
Channel surfing late one night,I came across a new Comedy show on the BBC by Alan Partridge creator Armando Iannucci.Knowing nothing about the series,I was left breathless by the lightning fast one liners being joined by a satirical edge which gave the comedy a dramatic bite.After the series, (which is now my third all time favourite TV show) got me interested in political and satirical Comedy,I was delighted to find a companion film which allowed Iannucci's creation to fire on all cylinders. Realising that I have just written my 999th IMDb review,I decided that I would mark my 29th birthday by writing my 1000th review for my 10th favourite film of all time.The plot:During a radio interview MP Simon Foster is asked if he believes that the government are planning a war in the Middle East.Going against his own party line,Foster says that he sees no chance of a war taking place.Arriving at party hq,Foster is surrounded by "Director of Communications"/spin Malcolm Tucker,who tells Foster to not go off track,and to walk the government line.Hearing Foster's comments,visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clark invites Foster to a meeting about fears of a secret committee in the US setting out plans for a war in the Middle East.Trying to stick to the government line,Foster soon finds his beliefs being invaded by Malcolm Tucker.View on the film:Toning down the rough edge,moc-doc style of the series,co- writer/(along with Jesse Armstrong/ Simon Blackwell/ Tony Roche & Ian Martin)director Armando Iannucci and cinematographer Jamie Cairney give the film a wonderful reserved gloss,with smoothly delivered whip- pans injecting a documentary intimacy within the movie,and also allowing the viewer to catch every crisp one liner.Going to the US, Iannucci and Cairney peel away any US landmarks with obscured side shots which match Foster's deflated response to his first US visit.Giving the film a timelessness by smartly not naming the parties or the Middle East country that "The West" is on a path to war with,the writers cover the title wall to wall with acid-tongue punchlines,as each of Malcolm Tucker's merciless verbal attacks destroy his opponent/ministers limb by limb.Hanging a cloud of war over the title,the writers hit the title with ruthless satirical fangs,as every side from the left,right & centre gets struck,as every cracking exchange exposes the characters being more concerned about keeping their spot safe than doing what is best for diplomacy.Entering the movie like a fire breathing dragon, Peter Capaldi gives a ferocious performance as Malcolm Tucker,whose every blood spilling line of dialogue Capaldi chews with a delicious relish. Joined by a stern James Gandolfini and a sweet Anna Chlumsky,Tom Holland (who played the PM in MI5!) gives a hilarious performance as Simon Foster,by making every frozen with fear stare that Foster makes over sharing the "wrong" opinion reveal how out of the loop Foster is.
Python Hyena
In the Loop (2009): Dir: Armando Iannucci / Cast: Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, James Gandolfini, Anna Chlumsky: One of the funniest films ever made about politics, and perhaps the best of its kind since Dr. Strangelove or Network. This is a brilliant satire about lack of communication, misunderstanding and total confusion in its media frenzy. The film regards a corrupt British government that becomes the subject of a war against the Middle East when the Secretary of State uses the word "unforeseeable." He is played with bumbling hilarity by Tom Hollander whose word gains him unwanted attention that he must spin webs around in order to maintain some sort of dignity. Peter Capaldi steals the entire film as the communications chief who uses profanity like a machine gun when doing damage control. He must turn this around before the tension escalates to fatal heights on both margins. James Gandolfini steals scenes as a U.S. General whose opinion of war is that it is stupid. He lays claim to some of the funniest lines with blunt cynical delivery. Chris Addison also stars as a sort of spin doctor who causes more damage but manages to sleep with a hot young intern. Anna Chlumsky also appears in her best work since her stint in the My Girl films. Director Armando Iannucci delivers a brilliant film about flawed political communication. Score: 9 / 10
