In the Loop
In the Loop is an offshoot of the British TV series The Thick of It, but it stands alone as a wickedly sharp comedy. Also standing alone is Peter Capaldi playing Malcolm Tucker, almost the only character from the original 2005 series. He’s a political whip from the British Prime Ministers office with a tongue as acrid and razor sharp as his weasely features. He’s always in a fury but he’s on fire here because of Simon Foster (Tom Hollander) a mouthy new cabinet minister who’s in over his head. Simon’s recent off the cuff remarks about military options draws Malcolm’s ire and an invitation to the UN and even the halls of the White house. Along the way they interact with a big cast of hacks, flacks and bagmen from both sides of the Atlantic but particular kudos go to James Gandolfini (in his finest role since Tony Sopprano) as the dove Gen. George Miller and his sometimes paramour Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy) a pressurized career politician. It becomes clear that Simon’s loose lips are being used to drag America and anyone else who wants to tag along into a military incursion a la Iraq. This movie not only left me smiling and impressed but also anxious to get in the loop for the TV series.