Movie Review

In the Loop (Britain)
Director: Armando Iannucci
With: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Chris Addison, James Gandolfini, Anna Chlumsky, Mimi Kennedy, David Rasche, etc.

Scathing, foulmouthed and cynical political satire of how the Iraq war may have become inevitable.  Like Wag the Dog, only more angry and vicious.  One English politician’s off-hand and innocent remark causes the entire diplomatic and government apparatus of two nations to behave like scorpions in a bottle, and even, especially, good intentions to turn to crap.  The civil servants are all craven or self-serving or ass-kissers, or obscenity-spouting bullies.  The military is cautious but resigned, and the rivalry between the Brits and the Yanks plays out to propel the possibility of war.
Not for kids or people sensitive to foul language and gratuitous insults.  Very funny for the rest of us, but it really does not take us down new paths.  Still, it’s worth seeing.
B+