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Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander, David Rasche, Gina McKee ... see more see more... , Chris Addison , Steve Coogan , Anna Chlumsky , Mimi Kennedy , Harry Hadden-Paton , Samantha Harrington , Olivia Poulet , James Smith , Zach Woods , Enzo Cilenti , Lucinda Raikes , James Doherty , Reid Sasser , Johnny Pemberton , Chipo Chung , Del Pentecost , Joanna Scanlan , Joanna Brookes , Rita May , Paul Higgins , Alex MacQueen , Eve Matheson , Will Smith , Will Smith (III)

The run-up to war makes for curious rivalries and uneasy alliances in this political satire from director and co-screenwriter Armando Iannucci. Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) is a minor minister of inte... read more read more...rnational development with the British government who, in the midst of a radio interview, casually tells a reporter "war is unforeseeable." However, the prime minister is being pressured to commit British troops to support American forces in the Middle East, and communications director Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) goes into a tirade when the press turns Foster's passing comment into a major news story. Foster becomes an unwitting media figure, and he and his personal communications director, Judy (Gina McKee), are joined by political damage control expert Toby (Chris Addison) as they're sent to Washington, D.C., to meet with American political and military leaders. Despite Judy's and Toby's help, Foster displays a stubborn inability to say what he's supposed to, and he finds himself caught in the middle between pro-war factions -- including diplomat Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) and State Department official Linton Barwick (David Rasche) -- and those who oppose the conflict, including Pentagon attachà (C) General Miller (James Gandolfini) and activist Liza (Anna Chlumsky). As if matters weren't already complicated enough, Liza used to date Toby when they were college students, and Gen. Miller was once involved with Clarke, adding bitter romantic history to an already rocky playing field. In the Loop received its North American premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

221,874 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

164 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Armando Iannucci

Release Date: July 24, 2009

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DVD Release Date: January 12, 2010

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Stats: 4,264 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,264)

  • moonrivers
    March 20, 2012
    moonrivers
    Blazingly fast comic zinger of a film connecting everything from a flower wall in London to a blossoming war in Iraq seen from the offices and bedrooms of middle level politicos and desperate wannabes. Hold on ... its a great ride. Exuberant. Warning! Not for gentle ears! Hi... read moreghly advanced and scatological cursing inside!
  • garyX
    March 6, 2012
    garyX
    The Americans fancy another war, so backroom spin doctor Peter Capaldi sets about making sure that his British ministers tow the party line and take it up the ass in the name of our "special relationship". In The Loop is basically a big screen version of British political satire ... read moreThe Thick Of It, but incredibly it manages to keep the essence of the show no doubt at the cost of any semblance of box office receipts. Incredibly dark and witty, Armando Iannucci and Capaldi have managed to create a character that will become the stuff of comedy legend. His foul mouthed tirades against his quaking subordinates are as hilarious as they are excruciating and uses the kind of creative obscenities that we haven't seen the like of since Withnail & I. It also has the blend of political nightmare combined with absurdity that made it feel like the Dr. Strangelove of our times and has the kind of sharp wit and sophisticated dialogue of Thank You For Smoking. James Gandolfini is also the perfect casting choice as the US general who gives as good as he gets and the cast as a whole are pretty much flawless. The fact that the entire story is told in words rather than explosions and car chases means that 90% of its potential audience will no doubt switch off straight away, but anyone with two braincells to rub together simply must see this. The one drawback is that once the credits roll and the laughter dies away, you get the hollowing feeling that this really IS how wars begin. F-star-star-star-ing genius.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    October 8, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    For me it was far too wordy and I had difficulty understanding what was actually going on. The characters were really good with good actors and there were some mildly funny parts however it didn't really do much for me. It thought it was funnier than what it was and stuck to inte... read morernational stereotypes of the British and American people; but I guess that was the point.
  • paulsandberg
    September 28, 2010
    paulsandberg
    An aptly named film if ever there was one, In The Loop not only has the traditional connotation of being on the inside and "in the know", but, as is the nature of dark satire, this film has a much deeper meaning. The loop of the entire political game, where interchangeable parts... read more get replaced, and it's all sound and fury, signifying nothing (as some dude once penned). For all the posturing and backroom deals you pretty much come full circle, back where you started - an endless loop of political hooey.

    Filmed in an almost documentary style (a typical Brit feel), this film has many a moment that reminded me of... dare I say it... Dr. Strangelove; both for it's style and it's political acumen.

    There is a very intelligent script here, with tons of laugh out loud moments, but eventually, as perhaps an overlong Monty Python skit would do, it folds back on its own absurdity and backs itself into an inconvenient corner where the story finds itself at an impass and is unable to top what has gone on before. Still, the concept of both the hawks and doves leaking a document that both sides radically "rewrote" is hilarious; as is the fallout where all the doves on both sides of the Atlantic decide to resign in protest over the upcoming Iraq war. The irony of course is that the new politicos enter the arena and the dance begins all over again.

    I found the cast to be remarkably well versed, from the spitting epiteph spewing Scott manager to a Nancy Pelosi clone on the other side of the pond. Also throw in a fine performance by Gandolfini as perhaps the only voice of reason - a general who is against the war, but then turns on his dove compatriats and DOESN'T quit - arguing that since a war is now inevitable he is needed to lead his troups - answering the call as any true soldier would.
  • Deano78
    September 9, 2010
    Deano78
    It's ok quite funny, a good script with witty lines. One more for the English sense of humour I thought. Only problem that the main story between the characters is a bit boring and slow. Plenty of good one liners, who would be a politician hey!
  • pier007
    August 31, 2010
    pier007
    Biting satire about the people working for government, the clueless, the clumsy, the resourceful, the ass kisser, the hateful, they're all here with their cards on the table trying to decide whether or not their country should go to war just for the sake of it. Peter Capaldi's c... read moreolourful way of adressing everyone and his derogatory nicknames taken from movies are a riot.
  • fb619846742
    August 17, 2010
    fb619846742
    A solid, although quite overpraised satire concerning the bumbling idiots in politics and how one in particular raises suspicion concerning a potential war in the Middle East. What makes this movie worthwhile is its uniformly excellent performances and a fascinatingly cynical tak... read moree on how politicians are nothing but fools. What keeps this movie from achieving greatness is its tendency to leave the audience behind in the dust, as it sprints ahead with its insanely high-power dialogue that doesn't slow down for an instant. The detached feeling this film has works wonders in the sense that it feels extremely realistic and that you're just a "fly on the wall" watching these people, but in the end you don't really care what happens to anybody and the whole viewing experience "leaves you" sort of quickly.
  • rjayhutchinson
    July 30, 2010
    rjayhutchinson
    Perhaps not the most well-acted film of all time, but the script is absolutely top-notch. This film is absolutely hilarious.
  • Saxia
    July 25, 2010
    Saxia
    It did provoke some hysterical laughs on my side, but I couldn't move past the fact that the movie was boooring.
  • danperry17
    July 10, 2010
    danperry17
    I watched this movie with a political staffer, which I think helped. Ours is not to reason why: ours is to do as we're told... and when there's no proof or intelligence? Well, invent some! Loads of creative and foul insults in this parody of a high-pressure drama that's, in a way... read more, itself a high-pressure drama, but full of laughs thanks to some work by Malcolm Tucker et al. Kind of like the West Wing meets The Office, in triple episode. Great stuff.

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Critic Reviews

Bill Goodykoontz
October 21, 2009
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

It's fantastic stuff, so over-the-top, so scabrous, so bitterly brilliant that you have to assume that, on some level, it rings true. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
August 21, 2009
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

Painfully funny satire of British and American bureaucrats in the days leading up to the Iraq War.

Peter Howell
August 21, 2009
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The film, while often very funny, is so relentlessly savage it could destroy whatever shred of respect you may still retain for politicians and that flogged horse called democracy. Full Review

Rick Groen
August 21, 2009
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The brainchild of British director Armando Iannucci, it takes on the politicians at their own dirty game, daring to fictionally embellish the tawdry facts, to out-spin the spin doctors. Full Review

J. R. Jones
August 20, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

This enormously witty satire follows a British diplomatic staff as they fly to Washington to confer with their U.S. counterparts, who are secretly ginning up an invasion of the Middle East. Full Review

Ben Lyons
August 3, 2009
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

You feel like a fly on the wall inside of these meetings in the offices and you see how utterly ridiculous everybody is. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
August 3, 2009
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

Every movie that clearly tells us how we marched toward the war, through bullying, intimidation, and making opponents seem crazy is worth seeing. Full Review

Colin Covert
July 31, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

In the Loop is one of the best political comedies since the invention of the sprocket hole. Full Review

Tom Long
July 31, 2009
Tom Long, Detroit News

Filled with the sort of pent-up vitriolic humor that Brits specialize in, it's one of those films that keep you laughing even as you realize how awfully close to the truth it likely is. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
July 30, 2009
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

A scabrously funny look at the cutthroat game of statecraft. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Malcolm Tucker: Fucking hung up, haven't you? You fucking hoity-toity fucking...
    • White House Tourist: Hey, buddy? Enough with the curse words, all right?
    • Malcolm Tucker: Kiss my sweaty balls, you fat fuck!
    • Paul Michaelson: Am I calm? I'm fucking ZEN!
    • General Miller: Twelve thousand troops. But that's not enough. That's the amount that are going to die. And at the end of a war you need some soldiers left, really, or else it looks like you've lost.
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In the Loop Trivia

  • He is a weather man caught in a time loop and is continously being waken up in the morning by the same song "I Got You Babe" sung by Sonny and Cher. Who was that?  Answer »
  • At the beginning of "Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life" the two doctors are playing a game in which John Cleese throws cards through a loop in Graham Chapman's arm. What is John's score right before the nurse enters to inform them about the patients contractions?  Answer »
  • In Groundhog Day, Phil Connors (Murray) attempts to break the time loop that he's stuck in by committing suicide. Which of the following methods is not depicted in the movie?   Answer »
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