In The Loop
Directed by Armando Iannucci (2009)
I tend to find that political satire generally falls into one of two categories: too worthy, and not funny; or on the money and nothing more than mildy chucklesome. It’s very rare indeed that one finds a political satire that’s got something to say, whilst being roll in the aisles funny: barely a minute passed by that In The Loop didn’t have me snorting with laughter.
I’d slightly disagree with the (common) criticism that when it gets to America it doesn’t fare as well — Peter Capaldi and James Gandolfini’s exchange in the hotel bar felt like a filmic landmark all the way to “and don’t ever call me English again” — I thought that while the American characters were certainly more exaggerated and played for overt comic value, they provided a counterpoint to the cynical laughs provided by the British cast.
Terrific film, it really is. Highly recommended.
