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IMDbPro

In the Loop

  • 20092009
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
58K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,336
707
In the Loop (2009)
This is the Dr. Strangelove-inspired theatrical trailer for In the Loop.
Play trailer2:22
4 Videos
25 Photos
  • Comedy
A political satire about a group of skeptical American and British operatives attempting to prevent a war between two countries.A political satire about a group of skeptical American and British operatives attempting to prevent a war between two countries.A political satire about a group of skeptical American and British operatives attempting to prevent a war between two countries.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
58K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,336
707
  • Director
    • Armando Iannucci
  • Writers
    • Jesse Armstrong(screenplay)
    • Simon Blackwell(screenplay)
    • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hollander
    • Peter Capaldi
    • James Gandolfini
Top credits
  • Director
    • Armando Iannucci
  • Writers
    • Jesse Armstrong(screenplay)
    • Simon Blackwell(screenplay)
    • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hollander
    • Peter Capaldi
    • James Gandolfini
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 168User reviews
    • 190Critic reviews
    • 83Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 16 wins & 43 nominations total

    Videos4

    In the Loop -- Trailer #2 (U.S.)
    Trailer 2:22
    In the Loop -- Trailer #2 (U.S.)
    In the Loop
    Trailer 1:51
    In the Loop
    In The Loop
    Clip 1:46
    In The Loop
    In The Loop
    Interview 6:57
    In The Loop

    Photos25

    Armando Iannucci in In the Loop (2009)
    Peter Capaldi in In the Loop (2009)
    Anna Chlumsky in In the Loop (2009)
    James Gandolfini and Peter Capaldi in In the Loop (2009)
    Tom Hollander in In the Loop (2009)
    Peter Capaldi and Chris Addison in In the Loop (2009)
    Steve Coogan and Joanna Scanlan in In the Loop (2009)
    James Gandolfini and Mimi Kennedy in In the Loop (2009)
    James Gandolfini and Peter Capaldi in In the Loop (2009)
    Peter Capaldi in In the Loop (2009)
    Anna Chlumsky in In the Loop (2009)
    Tom Hollander in In the Loop (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Hollander
    Tom Hollander
    • Simon Fosteras Simon Foster
    Peter Capaldi
    Peter Capaldi
    • Malcolm Tuckeras Malcolm Tucker
    James Gandolfini
    James Gandolfini
    • Lt. Gen. George Milleras Lt. Gen. George Miller
    Harry Hadden-Paton
    Harry Hadden-Paton
    • Civil Servantas Civil Servant
    Samantha Harrington
    • Malcolm's Secretaryas Malcolm's Secretary
    Gina McKee
    Gina McKee
    • Judy Molloyas Judy Molloy
    Olivia Poulet
    Olivia Poulet
    • Suzyas Suzy
    Chris Addison
    Chris Addison
    • Toby Wrightas Toby Wright
    James Smith
    James Smith
    • Michael Rodgersas Michael Rodgers
    Zach Woods
    Zach Woods
    • Chadas Chad
    Mimi Kennedy
    Mimi Kennedy
    • Karen Clarkas Karen Clark
    Anna Chlumsky
    Anna Chlumsky
    • Liza Weldas Liza Weld
    Enzo Cilenti
    Enzo Cilenti
    • Bob Adrianoas Bob Adriano
    Lucinda Raikes
    Lucinda Raikes
    • Reporteras Reporter
    James Doherty
    James Doherty
    • Reporteras Reporter
    David Rasche
    David Rasche
    • Linton Barwickas Linton Barwick
    Reid Sasser
    • Airport Security Manas Airport Security Man
    Johnny Pemberton
    Johnny Pemberton
    • A.J. Brownas A.J. Brown
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Jesse Armstrong(screenplay)
      • Simon Blackwell(screenplay)
      • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Armando Iannucci is well known for asking his actors to improvise their scenes around the script, and editing the best takes together. In one such improvised scene, James Gandolfini became angry enough to make Peter Capaldi drop out of character (he thought Gandolfini would "physically pummel me") and he asked the writers to provide him with a better come back.
    • Goofs
      British outlets are seen in both the Washington hotel and United Nations scenes.
    • Quotes

      Malcolm Tucker: Y'know, I've come across a lot of psychos, but none as fucking boring as you. You are a real boring fuck. Sorry, sorry, I know you disapprove of swearing so I'll sort that out. You are a boring F, star, star, CUNT!

    • Crazy credits
      The film's final credits roll over a long shot of the main office. At the very end, Malcolm Tucker comes out, looks at the TV and asks, "Who let this woman out with her fucking hair like this?! On national television?! Looks like she stuck her finger in a fucking electrical socket..." before walking away.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Ugly Truth/G-Force/Orphan (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Violin Concerto in E Major BWV 1042 - I. Allegro
      Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

      Performed by Kolja Blacher (violin) with the Kölner Kammerorchester (as Cologne Chamber Orchestra)

      Conducted by Helmut Müller-Brühl

      Licensed courtesy of Naxos Rights International Ltd.

    User reviews168

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    One of the funnier movies this year
    The Big Questions: Can an adult comedy (i.e one without masturbation, anal sex, and talking genitals) attract people during the summer season? Can director Armando Iannucci, known for BBC series "The Thick of It", adapt the series to the screen in "In the Loop"? Does this war-room satire bring anything new to war-room satires?

    Tom Hollander (the last two Pirates of the Caribbean movies) plays British Secretary of State Simon Foster, who in a radio interview says that war with the Middle East is "unforeseeable." The statement is enough to send the Prime Minister's chief adviser Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) into hysterics. The US President and UK Prime Minister are keen on a war and Tucker wants to give it to them. In Washington, Deputy Secretary of State Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) has learned of a secret War Committee formed by Linton Barwick (David Rasche) and she dispatches her secretary, Liza (Anna Chlumsky, yup, from 1991's "My Girl"), to find out everything she can about it. Clarke and General Miller (James Gandolfini) are against the war and are willing to do anything in their power to stop it, even inviting Simon and his assistant Toby (Chris Addison) to Washington thinking that Simon might be usable. Just Simon is a clueless pawn without the slightest idea what he's doing. Other story strands center around an anti-war paper written by Liza, and an affair she has with Toby.

    The foolishness of government war-mongering is sent-up well by this profane and viciously over the top comedy. If you've read the several books about the events leading up to the Iraq War, the constant and disconcerting string of manipulation, deception, back-door tactics, and posturing for political career gain, as well as how they all think of it as a game without consequences, incorporated by these underlings won't shock you too much, but the laughs just might. Shot with a hand-held camera that brings to mind "The Office", these people run around like chickens with their heads chopped off (some of which is very hard to even keep track of) trying to win out over the other side. The fast pacing, profanely clever dialogue, and flying insults are relentless. There are references to CNN being the Cartoon News Network, kids just out of college making big White House decisions, a sexual encounter for world peace, and a funny attack on a fax machine. In addition to turning profanity into a bodily function, characters (usually) shout pop culture references (John and Yoko, Kid from Eraserhead), and various other more derogatory names at each other. It's a tad excessive at times, but funny.

    Peter Capaldi is the key stand-out in the cast, being the most over-the-top of them all. His obscene and excessively profane performance as the Prime Minister's lead guy is tremendously entertaining as he continues to verbally lay-out anyone he doesn't like or that gets in his way with ridiculously clever barbs. Hollander does well with the role of the cluelessly spineless Simon Foster. James Gandolfini and Mimi Kennedy each give strong performances, and Chris Addison, Anna Chlumsky (its good to see her back by the way), and the rest of the cast do nice work as well. Also look for Steve Coogan in a funny cameo as a "fogged off" Brit complaining about a wall.

    The Verdict: While excessive and hard to follow at times, Iannucci, and his three other writers, create an adult satire that, while may not be for everybody, is pretty funny.
    helpful•54
    14
    • C-Younkin
    • Jul 13, 2009

    FAQ1

    • Is "In the Loop" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 4, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Australia)
      • Official site (France)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • У петлі
    • Filming locations
      • Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, South Bank, Lambeth, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • UK Film Council
      • Aramid Entertainment Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £612,650 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,388,804
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $191,866
      • Jul 26, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,787,487
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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