In the Loop: A Dizzying Fast Paced Ride

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This searing political drama combines biting wit with the shaky hand-held camera style of a documentary to create a chilling portrait of how the most insignificant verbal misstep by some insignificant political figure can send the powers that be hurtling towards that big red button marked ‘All Out Chaos’.

Peter Capaldi is fantastic as the foul mouthed Director of Communications, Malcolm Tucker, who is working overtime to keep inept MP Simon Foster‘s foot out of his mouth as he interacts with both British and foreign press. Helping and hindering his new boss in equal measure is Foster’s (Tom Hollander) new assistant Toby Wright (Chris Addison) who is keen to impress not only his workmates, but his long-suffering girlfriend Suzy (Olivia Poulet) who has helped him to get the position. In these efforts he steps on the toes of the more experienced and cynical Judy (Gina McKee), who may not be well liked in the office, but at least she can handle virtually anything that is thrown at her, including some of Tucker’s more choice insults.

Adding to the general sense of mayhem and despair are this motley crew’s seemingly more media-polished American counterparts: the bullying war monger Lieutenant General George Miller (James Galdolfini, rivalling Capaldi with his comic one-liners); neurotic Capitol Hill busy body Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) and her over-burdened aide Liza Weld (a welcome return to the big screen for former child star Anna Chlumsky); all of whom are conspiring to use the hopelessly incapable Foster as ‘a little meat puppet’ to stir up controversy and rally support for an all out war in the Middle East.

The pacing of this satirical drama is wonderfully brisk and your head will spin as the ever more imaginative and strangely eloquent insults zip back and forth between these warring factions. This film might not inspire confidence in the political process on either side of the Atlantic, but it will definitely keep you entertained.

Other great political films:

State of Play

Milk

W.