Screening from Friday 17th until Thursday 30th April 2009 @ Watershed, Bristol

This razor sharp political satire is without doubt the best British comedy in years. As the US and UK both start politically gearing up for war in the Middle East, a hapless British cabinet minister is dragged to Washington DC to be waved around as a pawn for both the pro-war and anti-war camps – it all just depends on the spin!

His floundering tendencies, inability to make any kind of decision and cripplingly paranoia about his public perception transmit hilariously on screen alongside the egos of Washington and serves him up for a royal roasting at every opportunity by the British Director of Communications; a fine, fiery performance by Peter Capaldi. He never holds back, verbally exploding a machinegun of obscenities at anyone who gets in the way or might damage the party and every scene he bursts through leaves the audience in fits of laughter.

His constant vitriol towards everyone and anyone is just one element of this glimpse at the snake-pit of international diplomacy. It’s real playground politics with as much in-fighting, back-stabbing, manipulation, intimidation and name calling as your local comprehensive. The satirical mood is summed up nicely at one point when the Pentagon’s Military Advisor (James Gandolfini) tots up the cost of war with the only thing to hand – a child’s Polly Pocket, singing calculator.

My only criticism about In The Loop is that it is a bit overly flippant and disregarding of the reality of the Middle East Conflict, lacking the gravitas about actually going to war. However, if you’re able to put aside your personal opinions and preconceptions about the war and truly watch this as political satire, then you’re in for a rip-roaringly funny watch; a great film with a fantastic British filmmakers’ energy about it.

www.watershed.co.uk

Matt Whittle