Gina McKee

I sure hope this is not how international politics transpire, but there is probably some truth to it. In the Loop is a satirical comedy set during the build up to the Iraq war. A culture class between London and Washington political insiders based on a BBC television series: The Thick of it. I found the film to be mostly unpleasant; there simply were almost no enjoyable characters. Besides Tom Hollanders funny, sincerely witty performance as British Minister Simon Foster, I was put off by the crassness and unlikable characters. Raging politicians and the constant passive aggressiveness was off-putting. I couldn?t connect with their motivation. I can understand the bigger picture about the rush to war, the twisting and spinning of words and documents. The almost pointless vulgarities turned me against the film. In The Loop has some genuine laugh, mostly at the expense of the down on his luck Simon Foster, the writing amusing and quite clever. I didn?t connect with its message or is comedy, felt to satirical to be taken at face value on its message on the war, and to harsh and crass to be deeply humorous.

Beautifully shot and told tale - at once painful to watch and compelling. Very self conscious about the film's interaction with the audience - whether it is the simple use of the typewriter to re-enforce the fact that the written word is the key plot mover in this story to the (over)gorgeous cinematography to represent the Hieronymus Bosch hellhole of Dunkirk. Subtext of war and class, of future and present adds tension and poignancy as movie wears on. The middle section of the movies seems as it were over edited - and ironically by trying to shorten the movie, it causes the story to lose a level of tautness as we struggle to put the pieces together. But highly recommended - but more for a though provoking evening - not a first date.

James McAvoy gives an excellent performance. He is truly one of the best actors around! Kiera Knightly is tolerable. The green dress she wears in the library scene stands out more than she does throughout the entire movie!