In the Loop (2009)

**1/2 (out of ****)

I wanted to like this movie more than I did.  Every scene is virtuosic and the performances are solid (especially Peter Capaldi's foul-mouthed government PR man, although the mop-headed new guy Toby feels the most sitcom-ish), but "In the Loop" only really has one note to play - politicians are fallible, mean-spirited, petty, cowardly, etc. - and once it's played that note it takes about 30 minutes before you feel like you've had enough.  There's no tone change or growth or stylistic transition or anything.  Which is a shame because I  found the political machinations and the backroom wheelings-and-dealings interesting.  At a relentless 100 minutes "In the Loop" feels like the ramp-up to Iraq War #2 has been turned into a glorified episode of the American "Office."  That's being harsh because I can only take about 5 minutes of "The Office" before it gets tedious.  Maybe if "In the Loop" turned more serious an hour in - or turned something, anything else - I'd like it more.

2009 Oscar nominee for Adapted Screenplay.