Watch How to Fake a War

How to Fake a War is a comedy movie with a plot centered around an extremely fictional situation. Set in London, the movie revolves around a team of documentary filmmakers who are struggling to get their latest production off the ground. In an attempt to make their documentary standout, the team decides to stage a fake war in a small country and document the proceedings. Thus, begins a hilarious and chaotic journey that explores the lengths to which people will go to achieve their goals.

The lead protagonist of the movie, Ruth (played by Katherine Parkinson) is an idealistic and ambitious director who believes in the power of documentaries to bring about change. She is constantly frustrated with the lack of interest in her work and is determined to make a film that will get noticed. Ruth sees documenting a real war as an opportunity to make a difference. However, when this plan falls through, she decides to fake a war instead.

Joining Ruth on her quest to fake the war are the rest of the team, each with their own unique set of skills and personalities. They include Alex (played by Jay Pharoah) a former soldier who provides the team with valuable military advice, Donald (played by Lily Newmark) a young intern with a talent for video editing, and Leonard (played by Kris Marshall) a documentary producer with a shady past.

As the plan comes together, the team realizes the gravity of the situation they have created. The fake war starts to spiral out of control as more and more people get involved in the project, including politicians, army officials, and even the locals of the small country where the fake war is being staged. The team has to think on their feet to stay one step ahead of the many challenges that come their way, including the risk of getting caught, the moral implications of their actions, and the threat of actual violence.

The movie does a great job of creating a satirical take on the conventions of documentary making, war, and the media. It highlights how the truth can be manipulated for the sake of entertainment, and how easily people can be convinced of a particular narrative. The movie also firmly establishes the concept of "fake news," which is particularly relevant in today's world where it seems like everything is up for debate.

The movie is directed by Rudolph Herzog, who provides a masterful touch to the material. His direction is playful, and he is able to get great comedic performances out of the cast. The script, written by Tim Price, is full of quotable one-liners, and the pacing of the movie is spot-on. The humor is dark but never crass, and the movie hits its mark more often than not.

The acting is also top-notch, particularly Katherine Parkinson, who gives a standout performance as Ruth. She brings a sense of humanity and vulnerability to her character, but she is also unafraid to emulate the manic energy that Ruth requires. The supporting cast also does a great job, particularly Jay Pharoah, who provides a hilarious take on the clichéd military advisor trope.

Overall, How to Fake a War is a fun and entertaining movie that is sure to appeal to fans of satirical comedies. It provides a unique take on the world of war, politics, and media, and it does so in a way that is fresh and exciting. The movie is a testament to the power of good writing and direction, and it proves that sometimes the best way to make an impact is to fake it.

How to Fake a War is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.