In The Loop (Tom Hollander, Peter Capaldi, Mimi Kennedy, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, Anna Chlumsky) — Nobody does hysterical political satire better than the British. Think Monty Python. In fact, this reminds me a lot of that without the slapstick. In the Loop is so very British and yet it’s the American political figures, portrayed by veterans Mimi Kennedy as Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clarke, and James Gandolfini as Lt. General George Miller, who make the picture work for me. The film is all about political misunderstandings that could lead up to a war in the Middle East. A sniveling, publicity-seeking, low-level Bristish cabinet minister, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander of The Soloist and Valkyrie), answers a reporter’s question about tensions in the Middle East by saying that war is “unforeseeable.” What exactly does that mean? Nobody knows, not even Foster, who is called to task by the Prime Minister’s communications director, Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi, whose credits are largely on television). Tucker is a vulgar, screaming, sarcastic, witty bloke who takes no prisoners. Unfortunately for him, he can’t completely unload Tucker, whose comments have drawn international attention since the PM and the American President seem to be posturing for war. The “unforeseeable” comment becomes the center of diplomatic talks between Britain and the U.S. Tucker only exacerbates his own problems by refusing to shut up when he should, and the ensuing interchanges are classic satire, double-speak, and misunderstandings. Foster may be headed to resignation or coronation; we just don’t know. Meanwhile, Tucker rages on.
As in many movies featuring heavy British accents, the dialogue is often hard to follow as the characters speak fast and furiously. The Americans are easier to follow, but I’m sure it’s exactly the opposite across the pond. If you can find this film from first-time feature director, Armando Iannucci, do it. You won’t regret it, and you may find yourself howling in the theater.