Movie Review “In The Loop”
Design July 23rd, 2009
One of the many perks of having an IFC membership (and being a nerd) is that you get to see movies before they hit theaters. So last night i got to take a sneak peak at the political comedy; ”In the Loop”, which opens at the IFC Center this weekend. It’s too bad this movie wasn’t released earlier, because it would’ve definitely made the “Top 5″ in my mid-season movie review.
After making a series of stupid comments to different journalists, the British Secretary of State; Simon Foster is perceived to be backing the idea of a war, which many people believe is just around the corner. The only problem is, Simon doesn’t actually want to back a war. So now, with the help of his new young political Aid; Toby, Simon has to dig himself out of a ditch, and stop a potential war. Unfortunately, every time he opens his mouth, he just digs himself further and further. The relationship on film between the UK and US hits very close to home (i.e. Tony Blair and George Bush), which makes the story relevant to all demographics, and not just UK audiences. The amazingly graphic dialogue alone, delivered mostly by the scene stealing character; “Malcolm Tucker” (assistant to the Prime Minister), should be enough to make anyone wanna see this. In fact, trying to quote some of the lines wouldn’t do this movie justice… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOYsN7G8p0E
“In The Loop” is probably the best comedy of the year so far (YES, it’s funnier than “The Hangover”). It channels everything from the pseudo documentary style of the T.V. show its based off of (”The Thick of It”) as well as “The Office” (both UK and US versions). It even has the spirit of vintage Robert Altman & Christopher Guest movies. I gotta be honest; I’d like to see more writing like this in American comedies, and less Apatow/Kevin Smith-influenced writing, which in my opinion has overstayed its welcome. So yeah, Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill aren’t in the movie, but hopefully the familiar face of co-star; James “Tony Soprano” Gandolfini will make American audiences take note, and check this movie out.