In the Loop (2009)

Directed by: Armando Iannucci
Starring: Tom Hollander

***1/2

In the Loop is funny, strangely entertaining and kind of confusing. The general premise is somewhat simple but the motives of each character, character's who are difficult to keep track of in the first place, get unintentionally disguised by the fast paced banter and thick British accents. In a nutshell, the ensemble cast of quirks in this film are pulling every string they can reach to prevent a war they they almost start by accident.

I suspect there is a certain amount of realism lining both the story and characters. Politics can't be all smart talk we get from John Grisham and such. When someone's in a bad mood because of the screwing up that seemingly goes on all around, he's inclined to say f-you to a few people. Despite my being lost amongst these characters, I did presume that the actions and their consequences were not only realistic, but probable. A simple essay that unintentionally suggests war is upon us and a minister of foriegn relations accidently suggesting that war is unforseeable are both presented in a believable enough way that we can get past the fact that the essay was written but what seems to be a glorified intern (why is anyone listening to her?) and that minister of foriegn relations is a bit of a Basil Fawlty (why is anyone listening to him?).

Trying to keep up with this movie was part of what it difficult to really like, however the fast pace is what kept the comedy fresh and witty. Unfortunately, I got the impression that the filmmakers got caught up in their fast-paced banter and had little interest in adding any feeling or depth to this movie. The most of any of this we see is the breakup of a relationship I completely forgot even existed. Most of the characters are heartless, a couple are sympathetic but only because they are so berraded for their mistakes by those who are heartless. Hearing f-bombs dropped every other word is pretty funny at first... eventually its just mean.

The fact that a movie that essentially surrounded politics from start to finish entertained me is saying something at least. I think that's why as much as the film didn't get bogged down with heart and soul, it didn't get bogged down by real politics. Yes, its realistic is some ways, but it wasn't like watching a political debate, even when there was a political debate going on. It was much more in the vein of Dr. Strangelove than say The Manchurian Candidate. Ultimately, I appreciated the fact that I didn't have to listen to the differing politics of the characters and I could laugh at them (most of the time) just getting frustrated with how they all have to clean up after someone else's mess. I wasn't fully invested in any of the characters or the story but I was entertained from start to finish so for that, I enjoyed the movie.