Review of In the Loop (2009) by Blake P — 09 Dec 2012

"In the Loop" is a breath of fresh air into the comedy genre-- after a decade full of potty humor and mixes with the action genre, this film works better because it relies on a good screenplay and serious comedic timing from its cast.

Yet again, British comedies are usually reliable in this way, and "In the Loop" is definitely one of my favorites. The plot is absolutely hilarious-- idiotic minister of international development Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) declares that "war is unforeseeable" on a radio show, but considering the prime minister himself is being pressured to commit British troops to support America in the Middle East, instantly Foster's stupid quip becomes a major news headline, and immediately a bunch of other political experts are brought in to solve the problem-- if Foster can handle the simple duty to not say anything to make the issue worse.

From beginning to end, "In the Loop" is a riot. Using faux documentary filming style evokes the feel of the satirical TV show "The Office", and ultimately it comes to the film's benefit, because the situation its mocking is even more fleshed out than ever.

The characterizations too, really set the film off. Peter Capaldi's portrayal of the perpetually furious Malcolm Tucker and Hollander's bumbling approach of Foster are simply comedy gold, while characters like Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) and Toby (Chris Addison) are built to a boiling point in which their characters explode with comic fury.

"In the Loop" is always funny, and always whip smart, and that's all it takes for me to fall in love with a comedy. Recommended.