Channel surfing late one night,I came across a new Comedy show on the BBC by Alan Partridge creator Armando Iannucci.Knowing nothing about the series,I was left breathless by the lightning fast one liners being joined by a satirical edge which gave the comedy a dramatic bite.
After the series, (which is now my third all time favourite TV show) got me interested in political and satirical Comedy,I was delighted to find a companion film which allowed Iannucci's creation to fire on all cylinders. Realising that I have just written my 999th IMDb review,I decided that I would mark my 29th birthday by writing my 1000th review for my 10th favourite film of all time.
The plot:
During a radio interview MP Simon Foster is asked if he believes that the government are planning a war in the Middle East.Going against his own party line,Foster says that he sees no chance of a war taking place.Arriving at party hq,Foster is surrounded by "Director of Communications"/spin Malcolm Tucker,who tells Foster to not go off track,and to walk the government line.
Hearing Foster's comments,visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clark invites Foster to a meeting about fears of a secret committee in the US setting out plans for a war in the Middle East.Trying to stick to the government line,Foster soon finds his beliefs being invaded by Malcolm Tucker.
View on the film:
Toning down the rough edge,moc-doc style of the series,co- writer/(along with Jesse Armstrong/ Simon Blackwell/ Tony Roche & Ian Martin)director Armando Iannucci and cinematographer Jamie Cairney give the film a wonderful reserved gloss,with smoothly delivered whip- pans injecting a documentary intimacy within the movie,and also allowing the viewer to catch every crisp one liner.Going to the US, Iannucci and Cairney peel away any US landmarks with obscured side shots which match Foster's deflated response to his first US visit.
Giving the film a timelessness by smartly not naming the parties or the Middle East country that "The West" is on a path to war with,the writers cover the title wall to wall with acid-tongue punchlines,as each of Malcolm Tucker's merciless verbal attacks destroy his opponent/ministers limb by limb.Hanging a cloud of war over the title,the writers hit the title with ruthless satirical fangs,as every side from the left,right & centre gets struck,as every cracking exchange exposes the characters being more concerned about keeping their spot safe than doing what is best for diplomacy.
Entering the movie like a fire breathing dragon, Peter Capaldi gives a ferocious performance as Malcolm Tucker,whose every blood spilling line of dialogue Capaldi chews with a delicious relish. Joined by a stern James Gandolfini and a sweet Anna Chlumsky,Tom Holland (who played the PM in MI5!) gives a hilarious performance as Simon Foster,by making every frozen with fear stare that Foster makes over sharing the "wrong" opinion reveal how out of the loop Foster is.
After the series, (which is now my third all time favourite TV show) got me interested in political and satirical Comedy,I was delighted to find a companion film which allowed Iannucci's creation to fire on all cylinders. Realising that I have just written my 999th IMDb review,I decided that I would mark my 29th birthday by writing my 1000th review for my 10th favourite film of all time.
The plot:
During a radio interview MP Simon Foster is asked if he believes that the government are planning a war in the Middle East.Going against his own party line,Foster says that he sees no chance of a war taking place.Arriving at party hq,Foster is surrounded by "Director of Communications"/spin Malcolm Tucker,who tells Foster to not go off track,and to walk the government line.
Hearing Foster's comments,visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Clark invites Foster to a meeting about fears of a secret committee in the US setting out plans for a war in the Middle East.Trying to stick to the government line,Foster soon finds his beliefs being invaded by Malcolm Tucker.
View on the film:
Toning down the rough edge,moc-doc style of the series,co- writer/(along with Jesse Armstrong/ Simon Blackwell/ Tony Roche & Ian Martin)director Armando Iannucci and cinematographer Jamie Cairney give the film a wonderful reserved gloss,with smoothly delivered whip- pans injecting a documentary intimacy within the movie,and also allowing the viewer to catch every crisp one liner.Going to the US, Iannucci and Cairney peel away any US landmarks with obscured side shots which match Foster's deflated response to his first US visit.
Giving the film a timelessness by smartly not naming the parties or the Middle East country that "The West" is on a path to war with,the writers cover the title wall to wall with acid-tongue punchlines,as each of Malcolm Tucker's merciless verbal attacks destroy his opponent/ministers limb by limb.Hanging a cloud of war over the title,the writers hit the title with ruthless satirical fangs,as every side from the left,right & centre gets struck,as every cracking exchange exposes the characters being more concerned about keeping their spot safe than doing what is best for diplomacy.
Entering the movie like a fire breathing dragon, Peter Capaldi gives a ferocious performance as Malcolm Tucker,whose every blood spilling line of dialogue Capaldi chews with a delicious relish. Joined by a stern James Gandolfini and a sweet Anna Chlumsky,Tom Holland (who played the PM in MI5!) gives a hilarious performance as Simon Foster,by making every frozen with fear stare that Foster makes over sharing the "wrong" opinion reveal how out of the loop Foster is.