In the Loop

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In the Loop

Released Jul 24, 2009

1h 46m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

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177 Reviews

82%

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100,000+ Ratings

During an interview, British Cabinet Minister Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) delivers an off-the-cuff remark that war in the Middle East is unforeseeable. Profane political spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) tries to cover up Foster's faux pas, but the ill-conceived comment is picked up by a warmongering American official. Foster is invited to Washington, D.C., where a war of words brews as politicians maneuver, manipulate and deceive each other before a U.N. vote on military action.

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Critics Consensus

In the Loop is an uncommonly funny political satire that blends Dr. Strangelove with Spinal Tap for the Iraq war era.

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Alonso Duralde

TheWrap

You probably wouldn't want to spend three hours listening to Alan Partridge's drive-time radio broadcast, but this idiotic DJ delivers a solid 90 minutes of cinematic entertainment.

Oct 24, 2018

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

The performances are outstanding, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments as confirmed by the fact that I laughed out loud.

Aug 29, 2018

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

This alleged satire, which received four-star treatment from other critics, left me with a ho-hum and sorry feeling that I had wasted an evening seeing it.

Jan 17, 2018

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A durable, smartly-written assemblage of highly quotable material that will continue to be funny no matter how many times you see it.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A vicious satire with ice in its veins and poison in its fangs.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 10, 2022

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

For all those still seething over the cynical manipulation and mendacity behind Bush and Blair's rush to war in Iraq, Armando Iannucci's blistering political satire In the Loop offers a measure of catharsis.

Nov 24, 2020

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Dave S

When a British politician offers his personal opinion that American military intervention in the Middle East is ‘unforeseeable’, a chaotic chain of events unravel as tension between British and American political power brokers builds. Written and directed by Armando Iannucci, In the Loop will be loved by anyone who appreciated his later works, namely The Death of Stalin and the TV series Veep. It’s got some great performances (especially by Peter Capaldi as the perpetually angry, foul-mouthed government spokesperson) and a fantastic script filled with stinging political satire and often hilarious dialogue. Sure, the handheld camerawork feels a bit erratic and dizzying at times, but that is a small complaint about an otherwise excellent film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

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S R

Some original comedy here with good writing and acting. It must have launched the careers of many of these aspiring actors and led to Veep and others. Despite the bad language it is witty and entertaining despite me being frustrated with the stupidity of the characters. RUS

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

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Su A

I tried watching this after a friend recommended it but couldn't get past the first 5 minutes due to the camera work. I was getting motion sickness. Even when people are sat still at their desks the camera bounces around like they're at sea in a storm. I got so annoyed I couldn't watch the rest

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Sammy B

I cannot imagine being friends with anyone who didn't absolutely love this movie. If you don't "get it", you don't "get" much in this life. Truly fabulous. One of my all time favorite films. Brilliantly funny.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

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Nina

I saw it in the cinema when it came out and laughed myself silly, then bought the DVD, then bluray. I've seen it maybe six times and have lent it to friends at least as many times. One of my top five, if not top three, pick-me-up scathingly hilarious movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

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Audience Member

Nice, witty, entertaining, and so cruelly actual. I enjoyed it a lot

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Armando Iannucci

Director

Peter Capaldi

Malcolm Tucker

Tom Hollander

Simon Foster

Gina McKee

Judy

James Gandolfini

General Miller

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Synopsis

During an interview, British Cabinet Minister Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) delivers an off-the-cuff remark that war in the Middle East is unforeseeable. Profane political spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) tries to cover up Foster's faux pas, but the ill-conceived comment is picked up by a warmongering American official. Foster is invited to Washington, D.C., where a war of words brews as politicians maneuver, manipulate and deceive each other before a U.N. vote on military action.

Director: Armando Iannucci
Producer: Kevin Loader, Adam Tandy
Screenwriter: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BBC
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 27, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m

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