The government is run by a bunch of bumbling idiots. At least that's what the director of In the Loop, Armando Iannucci, wants you to think. Though given what the world has gone through for nearly the last decade, I'm inclined to agree.
Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), the British Minister for International Development, may be In the Loop's biggest moron. When he calls the prospect of war "unforeseeable" that sets of a chain reaction of fury beginning with the Prime Minister's f-bomb toting director of communications, Malcom Tucker (Peter Calpadi). Add the United States to the mix, including a lovestruck state department official (Mimi Kennedy), a politically ambitious general (James Gandolfini), and a low-level staffer who is the only voice of reason (Anna Chlumsky) and you have a recipe for disaster -- or in today's world a recipe for war.
Though it's not "based on a true story," In the Loop takes obvious and searing jabs and former President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair and their behavior surrounding the invasion of Iraq. Given that much of the humor is (slightly) based on the truth, that makes the entire thing a little difficult to stomach.
On the whole, the cast of relative unknowns and supporting actors shines. Kennedy, best known as Dharma's mom on Dharma & Greg, is perfection as the official willing to throw her career away based on principle (Colin Powell anyone?). Chlumsky (welcome back My Girl, it's been a while) strikes the right balance between sexy and smart. However, Calpadi steals the show, and is downright sidesplitting as obscenities flow from his lips.
While real life isn't quite this funny, anyone with any sort of affinity for politics should see this, if only to stay in the loop.
Grade: A-
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