This film, directed by Armando Iannucci and based on a BBC TV show, came and went quickly last year but left a trail of great reviews. It earned a surprise screenplay nomination at the Oscars and, with any luck, will earn a following on DVD.

It’s a quick-witted, biting satire about governmental bureaucracy that details a budding war in the Middle East, a collaboration between the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States.

Any resemblance to actual events is… kind of the point.

The film doesn’t follow the world leaders but rather the scores of middle men and women who scamper around trying to make sense of their bosses’ orders. A slip of the tongue in a press conference leads to furious press speculation on both sides of the pond and spokespeople and advisers scamper around like ants in a rainstorm.

In the Loop doesn’t have much of a plot beyond that basic premise, but it makes up for that with hilarious dialogue. Peter Capaldi pretty much steals the entire movie with his vigorously profane, gut-splittingly funny performance as Malcolm Tucker, the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications. But every cast member gets a chance at big laughs.

Basically, In the Loop is This Is Spinal Tap for political junkies.