105 Must See Films: In The Loop (2009)

Starring: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini

Director: Armando Iannucci

A British political drama that ranges from ministers faffing their lines to the press, to US war committees in the UN. Largely following the incompetence of Simon Foster (Hollander), minister for International Development, with his new aide, the film is at it’s best when the Director of Communications Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi) is screeching obscenities at people.

With it’s broad cast of characters, everyone in this film has their own agenda, and frequently blame each other for their own choices or mistakes. As a study of humanity or politics, it’s not very reassuring. But the way in which characters play off each other and manipulate events is very amusing. The movie was a spin off of a TV event that went on to become a popular TV series in 2012, so if you like it, feel free to check that out too.

It’s a must see because: the dialogue is something else. No one in this film is a nice person, and they’re all disgustingly transparent. But they’re well written, they’re never obvious in their characterisation or overplayed. Most importantly, the film is all about the things that people say to each other, the blackmail, the threats, and incredibly well-worded and expletive heavy insults. It’s hilarious to watch.

See it if: You like Veep, it has the same creator, or if you like snappy dialogue and political dramas.