"In the Loop" is an intermittently funny and biting political satire about politicians and their operatives involved in a campaign to promote a war.

Drawing upon "Wag the Dog," "Dr. Strangelove" and "This Is Spinal Tap," this sardonic tale is adapted from the critically acclaimed BBC series "The Thick of It."

The film features some witty performances from the mostly British ensemble cast, notably Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker, the prime minister's ultra-aggressive communications director whose foul mouth and venomous attitude work in concert and at warp speed.

Tom Hollander also is excellent as Simon Foster, the minister for international development. He refers to war with the Middle East as "unforeseeable" then tries to correct what he has been told is a terrible gaffe. His attempt to smooth things over only makes things worse.

Inadvertently, Simon has set off a chain of highly charged events and intensified the heated war debate.

His remarks get championed by American politicos on both sides of the war issue. Karen Clarke (Mimi Kennedy), the U.S. assistant secretary for diplomacy, invites Simon to attend a summit.

Her anti-war sentiments are shared by retired U.S. Gen. Miller (James Gandolfini). Kennedy and Gandolfini have some caustically funny moments. The opposing side, in the person of hawkish Linton Barwick (David Rasche), who chairs the secret War Committee, has taken Simon's line about conflict and adapted it as his slogan.

On the British side, there's Toby Wright (Chris Addison), who enters the vipers' nest and adapts quickly, trying to shut out Simon's longtime communications director Judy Malloy (Gina McKee). Crossing the pond, he has a rendezvous with ambitious intern Liza Weld (Anna Chlumsky) that results in critical media leaks. Miscommunication abounds and everyone seems to be madly and viciously angling for his or her own personal gain.

"In the Loop" can be a savagely witty parody. But sometimes the pace is just too breakneck, the jokes too fast and furious, and the functionaries too caricatured, all of which undermines the clever writing.

If you can get past its relentless quality, "In the Loop" is a blisteringly funny skewering of the venal side of politics.