Oscar-nominated underdog: "In the Loop" (with video)

Wikipedia with video of the official UK trailer (01:51):

In the Loop is a 2009 British film directed by Armando Iannucci. It is a spinoff from the BBC Television series The Thick of It satirising Anglo-American politics in the 21st century. The film was released on 17 April 2009 in the United Kingdom.^[2]

In the film, the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom are looking to launch a war in the Middle East. The plot follows government officials and advisers in their behind-the-scenes efforts either to promote the war or prevent it.^[3] It stars Tom Hollander, Mimi Kennedy, James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Peter Capaldi, Anna Chlumsky, Gina McKee, Steve Coogan and David Rasche.^[4] The film is a joint collaboration between BBC Films and the UK Film Council.^[5]

Howie P.S.: The film's underdog status is promoted here. USA Today touts it here and provides the screenplay online, along with most of the other Oscar-nominated flicks. Sadly, according to The Stranger, "there are currently no showtimes for In the Loop" in Seattle. Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!) talks with "In the Loop" director and co-writer Armando Iannucci, video (14:49).