In the Loop

I am a big fan of :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thick_of_It
There will be a spoiler here (*)
A British sitcom? I suppose that is the right word. Though its hard to link it in the same genre as Two pints of Lager or Just shoot me
Its a wonderful satire of the Blair years. With Malcolm Tucker played by Peter Capaldi. Likened to the Blairite Spin doctor, and former Forum magazine writer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Campbell
Anyway, this is a slight departure from the series. With some of the actors, playing new roles. Chris Addison who played Oliver in ``The Thick of it’’ was dating a girl from the opposition. Here, his girl friend is working for the Government. FO actually, while the PPs
Some of the cast changes raised eyebrows.
Basically the plot is simple. A junior minister in the UK, is ambushed by the press, and asked if a middle eastern war is going to happen. He replies that war is unforeseeable. 
This brings him to the attention of the US government. Whom are divided into a Hawk, and dove faction. Lead by my old friend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rasche
Sledgehammer. A neo con chicken hawk parody. He keeps a live Grenade as a paper weight.
The forces of peace are lead by General Miller. (Tony Soprano, James Gandolfini) and the under secretary of state.
An unlucky staffer, Liza, is dragged into this.
There is wonderful dialogue, which demonstrates that British and American English are two different worlds. The Gandolfini and under secretary exchange at the party. 
The Americans call wear lanyard Ids, this stuck out as in one scene Gandolfini in full dress uniform, is wearing an id that says Army.
The Americans are drinking coffee, but it looks like tea.
Its the dodgy dossier, the hawks, and doves. The meetings and briefings at the UN, all given the Thick of it Spin
The hapless Junior minister. Is brought to the meeting, and used, by the under secretary to make a point. He then summoned to Washington, after he retracted his words, to make another point.
Things progress, till the final Meeting at the UN.
The Spoiler
(*) Gandolfini’s miller. Is supposed to resign and doesn’t. After the decision to go to war, comes through. He says he won’t because he is a solider and it will be worse if he doesn’t play a part.
I kind think he has a point. The film seems to confirm this, with Rascle later seen at a briefing complaining about the choice of DVD’s being prepared for`` Combat troops’’
Tony Soprano, is probably playing Colin Powell. Which is interesting. Powell, was a combat veteran.
The line, about war, being attractive until you experience it, and then its so awful you never want to go there again, UNLESS you really have too. … Like France.
Gina McKee, is teased for bragging about her husband, who works amongst the charity cases of tower hamlets
The break up, line. As Chris Addison, is caught having extra curricular sex, is that he thought in some way it would stop the war. Was spectacular
The line hanging Chad is used.
It was a fun, day out. Go rent the series.

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