In the Loop is a glorious satire on the British decision to join America in invading Iraq. Director Armando Iannucci’ssavage take is that the big step was nothing more than the outcome of ferocious jockeying between politicians and bureaucrats on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The film’s standout performance is by Peter Capaldi, playing a British public servant with the foulest language and most incendiary temper I’ve ever witnessed. Every time he opened his mouth, I brayed. Tom Hollander is also great as a hapless British politician, as is James Galdolfini as a US general. The film moves along at a cracking pace and not a moment of dialogue is wasted.
In the Loop is so out-loud hilarious that only afterwards does the brutality of its evisceration, and then its reflection in reality, strike home. This brilliant film has to be in line for best comedy of 2009.