Detailing in uncanny and hilarious detail a governmental and media maelstrom arising from the wrong choice of word at the wrong time, the film kicks off when the UK's Minister for Communications, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander, doing befuddled brilliantly) bleats on radio that war is 'unforseeable' - political suicide when both UK and USA are clamouring for conflict in the middle east.
Peter Capaldi very much the star
The British PM's attack dog spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi, as much the star of the show here as he was with the same character in The Thick Of It) is soon on the case, lacing the air with venomous and immensely quotable tirades. Having to babysit not only Foster but also his new aide Toby (Chris Addison), Tucker is adamant that advantage be given to neither anti nor pro war parties, both UK and American.
Top brass gets next to no screentime: In The Loop is about, terrifyingly, the mid level players that determine the fates of their respective countries, and the immensely fickle nature of the political system. However while the film has a brain (something the recent Boat That Rocked lacked), it's greatest success is to fuse this with hugely enjoyable comedy dialogue and performances.
Perhaps exceeding even David Mametian levels of bad language, Capaldi is magnificent as the fiery Tucker, laying into all and sundry while also being savvy enough to manipulate the system he's a part of for his own ends. Being the closest thing to a sympathetic character (although that isn't saying much), Addison as Toby is in over his head from the get go.
Ianucci's Political Satire is superb
Ianucci's greatest deviation from his original series is the inclusion of the American brethren across the pond and, although played somewhat more broadly (a running gag about teeth doesn't take too much working out), the actors are on the same page, performing as equally flustered as their British counterparts.
Indeed, with the scope widened from The Thick Of It's claustrophobic intensity, the film's overall impact is perhaps diluted, but it does ultimately serve a much more chilling, global message in the final reels. It also allows for new characters, including the wonderful Gina McKee as the one person unfazed by Tucker's tirades. James Gandolfini almost plays against type as a anti-war general although he too gets spectacularly belligerent at one stage.
Sagging only midway through with an undeniably funny but badly located sub-plot about a homegrown constituent's collapsing wall (Steve Coogan in a cameo), In The Loop is one of the best British comedies in years and proves there's life in intelligent satire yet.
