In the Loop Review

by SWS on 23-Apr-09 18:38

The South West Screen Film Club met up on Monday after choosing 'In the Loop'

Review by iamkeir.

In the Loop is a hilarious, profane and somewhat exhausting film experience. It's a political satire which takes an exaggerated and borderline slapstick look at the frantic and absurd goings-on in the world of both the American and British governments as they lock horns and stumble recklessly towards an 'unforeseeable', but avoidable, war in the Middle-East.

The film is fast-paced, deliberately muddling, and littered with writhing sub-plots and hidden agendas, as it weaves it's way at break-neck speed towards an inevitable anti-climax, followed by the equally inevitable fall-out. It's characters comprise of heartless spin doctors, clumsy politicians, indecisive brown-nosers, and naive juniors, all struggling to keep up with the ever-changing scenario they find themselves wedged within. As you watch the film, you feel constantly overwhelmed by the urge to leap from your seat and demand that every character stop where they are immediately and prevent a spiralling situation growing any worse.

It's a very English comedy, with some superb naturalistic 'Office'-style performances (a particularly notable performance from Steve Coogan) and relentless usage of the typical angry and obnxious Scottish stereotype - but all used to great effect in presenting a film that, even in it's absurdity, is frighteningly plausible.

Overall, In the Loop is a funny but slightly tragic portrayal of how many of us suspect our governments are run and is, quite simply, a testament to human stupidity. It leaves you believing that many 'conspiracies' are nothing more than perpetual mistakes and failed cover-ups, rather than anything that would resemble through planning and execution.

It's fair to say that In The Loop is utterly unforeseeable.

The next SWS Film Club is on Tuesday 5th May (Due to the Bank Holiday).

Suggetions please....!

Tagged:South West Screen Film Club, Film

midnightmovies - said on Tue May 05, 2009, 11:14:46:

X-Men

Yep, let's go see X-Men Origins - Wolverine! I'm up for it, but let's make a definite plan to meet first this time - it's at the Showcase at 7.45 yes? :)

Mags - said on Thu April 30, 2009, 13:55:46:

Suggestion

Hmm well I'd be up for Xmen and you couldn't get more opposite to "In the Loop" so could be an interesting comparrison.

DeCoursey - said on Mon April 27, 2009, 14:58:04:

Just saw the watershed has this...

Special Screening of Helen with co-director Christine Molloy Watershed is delighted to welcome award-winning short filmmaker Christine Molloy, co-director of the new thriller Helen, for a Q&A following a screening of the film on Tue 5 May at 1800hrs. Helen is an ambitious feature directorial debut for Molloy and co-director (and husband) Joe Lawlor after years of making community group-based short films. This is a rare chance to hear about the differences inherent in the filmmaking experience and ask questions about the shorts-to-features transition. Sounds interesting to say the least. This or X-Men has my vote. Jeremy

midnightmovies - said on Fri April 24, 2009, 12:54:12:

Next month's film club

The Cube doesn't have a film on that night... and although Showcase will have Wolverine: X-Men Origins it will have been out for about a week so I probably will have gone to see it already... But, Encounters at the End of the World is showing at the Watershed and I think that would be a wise choice because it will undoubtedly spark discussion!

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