Best in Show
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Movie Reviews of Best in Show
Movie Review: THIS IS SPANIEL YAP!
Summary: 5 Stars
Best in Show is what could only be described as an affectionate mockumentary of the world of dog shows and their occasionally over-obsessed, over-ambitious, neurotic and downright barking mad owners. Co-written, directed and starring Christopher Guest, best known as Nigel Tufnell in `This Is Spinal Tap', this could very much be considered the canine equivalent of Rob Reiner's acclaimed cult movie, for instead of a rock band behaving badly, instead we have some rather over-obsessed dog owner's behaving madly. If you will excuse the obvious pun, this is not so much Spinal Tap, as This is Spaniel Yap.One of the great things about `Best In Show' is that it is played as a straight documentary, and we never get any glimpses of the supposed documentary makers filming the would be champions proud owners and there are no nudges and winks to the camera. Very much as real documentaries do, `Best In Show' follows five different couples from vastly different social backgrounds but all childless, with the exception of the four legged friends, as they seek tp win the title of top dog at the annual Mayflower dog show. It is very much fly on the wall and even though all the characters might be characterised as stereotypical, there is actually very little caricature, which is what makes it immensely funny and if you didn't know better, you might even believe it was real. There are no [] jokes that revolve around dog [mess] and most importantly of all `Best In Show' is consistently funny all the way through.
There is so much to enjoy about this movie. Christopher Guest subtly directs it and it has a sharp and acutely well-observed script. It very much affectionately mocks the owner's whilst never seeking to either mock man's best friend or the world of dog shows. In fact I would say that to really enjoy this movie it helps to be a dog lover, you even find yourself laughing because in certain parts you recognise that some of the behaviour exhibited by the neurotic owners is not so different to ourselves with our own furry friends.
The cast of this movie includes no big stars but many familiar faces. For example Eugene Levy, the movie's co-author, who is previously best known for his role as the emabressing Dad in the American Pie movies appears as the literally two left-footed owner of a Norwich Terrier. His wife is played by Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone, Dick Tracy), who has a somewhat colourful past that seems to include a string of lovers in every bar in every town, much to Gerry's embaressment. There is also a [] couple played by Michael McKean, another Spinal Tap alumnus and John Michael Higgins (Ally MacBeal) who show shih-tzus and in the case of the latter, camp it up outrageously. Parker Posey (Scream 3) and Michael Hitchcock (Happy, Texas) play neurotic yuppie lawyers and parents to a Weimaraner apparently traumatised after seeing them perform `the congress of the cow' from the karma sutra. Director Christopher Guest (Waiting For Guffman) plays a redneck bloodhound owner who can name every type of nut but tackiest of all is the gold-digging Sherri married to a senile millionaire about to shuffle off this mortal coil played by Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde), who is on the brink of a lesbian affair with the trainer of her beloved standard poodle. Ed Begley jnr even puts in a cameo appearance as a hotel manager. All the actors perform there parts with great subtlety and it is to their credit that many of the lines were apparently improvised.
If `Best In Show' is for the most part a movie that keeps you quietly chuckling, it is also a film that will have you laughing out loud when the contestants finally reach the main event (The Mayflower Dog Show), as commentary for the show is provided in a sports cast style by Buck Laughlin (Fred Willard) who openly flaunts his ignorance of all things canine to comical effect and we are also treated to the sight of Gerry, two left feet `n all parading his Norwich Terrier around the show ring. This is a little gem of a movie that I highly recommend.
Movie Review: Be His Guest
Summary: 5 Stars
Director and co-screenwriter Guest has been centrally involved with the creation of four of the best "mockumentaries": This Is Spinal Tap (1983), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003). The effectiveness of a mockumentary depends on several factors. First, the actors must "play it straight," as if unaware that they are spoofing anyone or anything. Fred Willard (Buck Laughlin), for example, in this film or Leslie Nielsen in Airplane! or as Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun series. Also, the material presented must be THAT close to the original as is indeed true of the music performed in A Mighty Wind. Finally, the objects of ridicule must in some way deserve it (e.g. Bob Balaban as Dr. Theodore W. Milbank III) but the humor must never be mean-spirited. Note Guest's treatment of the fact that Gerry Fleck (played with the straightest of faces by Eugene Levy) has -- literally -- two left feet. In this film, Guest uses a familiar but effective strategy for the basis of his narrative: Select several individuals and follow their separate journeys to the same destination, in this case a dog show in Philadelphia. Harlan Pepper (Guest) and the Flecks (Levy and Catherine O'Hara) are among among those who have registered their dogs for competition in the annual and prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show in Philadelphia. Shrewdly, Guest and Levy have co-written a screenplay in which there is a wide and rich variety of people involved. One of the most conspicuous is Sherri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge), a statuesque and voluptuous bi-sexual, who attends the show with her ancient husband (Patrick Cranshaw), hoping that her poodle "Rhapsody in White" can win again. Sherri Ann is also accompanied by Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch), the dog's trainer/handler and Sherri Ann's lover. Meg and Michael Swan (Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock) are also there with Beatrice, a Weimaraner who is almost (not quite) as neurotic as they are. Still another interesting couple consists of Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) who have entered their Shih Tzu "Miss Agnes" in the competition and expect her to win.
Many years ago, I first saw Fred Willard (with Martin Mull) on the television series Fernwood 2-Night. He recreates essentially the same role (pseudo-sophisticate dimwit) in this film as Buck Laughlin. He and Trevor Beckwith (Jim Piddock) provide commentary throughout the competition. Insofar as Beckwith is concerned, the chemistry between them could not be much worse. However, as a mockumentary requires, Laughlin is oblivious to that...and to just about everything else as he prattles and chortles along. Willard's is a stunning performance. What a treat it would be to eavesdrop on a conversation between Willard's Laughlin and Nielsen's Drebin.
This is film loses nothing even after being seen several times. In fact, I see something "new" each time I see it again. (For me, the same is also true of Young Frankenstein and The Birdcage.) Some of the scenes and some of the characters become even more hilarious. For example, when Scott and Stefan register at the hotel and then begin to redecorate their room, when the Flecks visit one of Cookie's many former boyfriends and his family, and what happens after the Flecks' Norwich terrier "Winky" reaches the final round of competition. Guest cleverly concludes his film by answering the question "Whatever happened to....?" thereby providing an update on each of couples as well as of Harlan long after the competition. If I were judging all of the comedies released two years ago, this would be my own choice for the top prize: Best in Show(Business) Comedy Film 2000.
Movie Review: This movie is based on a different worldview, but it is well done.
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is unquestionably PG-13. I found this movie a bit too vulgar in many places. But that does not change the fact that this was a very funny movie, and very well done.
There are deleted scenes included after the VHS version of this product. Those scenes weren't at all bad -- some of them were deleted because the movie went a different direction with a couple of the aftermath stories, while others would have just made the movie longer. The deletion of the scenes shows that they made the movie just the correct length and knew when to stop. Other movies went on to a part of boredom, and this movie did not.
I am doing research on dog shows for a novel I'm writing. "Best In Show" is not making fun of dog shows but rather having fun with them. From the audience's point of view, the stars are the dogs. With the exception of Beatrice the Weimaraner, the dogs didn't really contribute to the movie. In the movie, the focus was on the characters.
A couple of reviews say people take dog shows too seriously, and some do but for others it's an enjoyable hobby. For example, I went to an agility show and it seems to be where people and dogs can have fun together. The conformity part, which is where this movie focuses (there are also obedience trials and herding as well as agility, and the same dog may compete in several of these events), is more of the beauty pagaent, but the reality is it is a group of animal lovers. Some are as quirky as the characters in the movie, but not all.
One strength was the low key approach to the movie. John Michael Higgins and Fred Willard have stand out performances, but they would be best described as "flamboyant" rather than over the top. While there is some suspension of disbelief in this movie (e.g. Eugene Levy's character having two left feet), the characters are all realistic and not removed from real life. My hunch is that if a viewer is rooting for a certain character it is a subjective choice, and a different viewer may identify just as strongly with a different character. There are no antagonists. The only character I was hoping wouldn't win were the two-time defending champion, just because they were the two-time defending champion (I have the same view in sports as well).
The casting is perfect. There are hints of improv in here. It doesn't have a completely unscripted feeling but there are parts where I have a hunch that an actor has his own script but does not know (or at least does not expect) what another actor will say. My favorite joke is that the Yuppie couple met at Starbucks -- not the same Starbucks: they saw each other in different Starbucks across the street from each other. (I also liked the "Phantom Hill" joke in the extra scenes.)
I've never watched the Spinal Tap movie (or Guffman) but I saw the TV special. Christopher Guest and Michael McKean (one of my favorite comic actors) were in the TV version. I think I caught a Spinal Tap allusion when the hotel manager was talking about a rock band staying there.
The quality of the artmanship earned this movie the five stars I'm giving it. I was embarrassed and disgusted with parts of this movie, because of my world view. Likewise, I would not recommend that children see this movie. What is needed is a straight PG (if not G) rated movie on dog shows so that children can enjoy the story as well.
Movie Review: A laugh out loud riot that pleases time and time again...
Summary: 5 Stars
To me `Best in Show' is one of the funniest films I've ever seen. I still can't remember a time when I laughed so hard, I mean truly laughed uncontrollably; complete with tears and those annoying giggles that everyone around you hates to hear. That's probably the biggest compliment I can give this brilliant film. It's truly, from top to bottom, beginning to end, one hundred percent hilarious. Christopher Guest has his fans and supporters, and anyone who's seen his films will immediately find familiar the execution of the material. In `Best in Show' though I'm tempted to say Guest and company are at their best. I've seen all of Guest's films and `Best in Show' is by far my favorite. The entire cast seems on point and together. Their scenes are downright knee slapping hilarious, and everyone seems to have a full understanding of the character they are trying to be. With every adlibbed line `Best in Show' gets better and better.
So the film follows a group of dog owners as they ready themselves for national competition. Each couple is as unique as the dog their preparing and each actor brings their own light to their scenes. The first couple we meet are Meg and Hamilton Swan, a young couple who share braces, Starbucks and their love of their Weimaraner in common. Both Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock take home the best-in-show title here for their brilliant comedic performances are just outstanding and their scenes alone are the most memorable of the film. Their neurotic, passionate, annoying and peppy and it works brilliantly. Cookie and Gerry Fleck, played by Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy, also work wonders as owners of a Terrier. O'Hara is hilarious as the less than innocent Cookie, and Levy, whom I'm a huge fan of, is great as her paranoid husband. Christopher Guest himself is great as Harlan Pepper, the owner of a bloodhound and John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean are hilarious as Scott Donlan and Stefan Vanderhoof, the gay couple sporting a pair of Shih Tzu's. Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge and Patrick Cranshaw stand out though as the three's company of the group, Jennifer playing Sherri Ann Ward Cabot, an Anna Nicole knockoff who married old for money no doubt. Jane Lynch plays her Poodle's trainer and her disclosed lover.
The film, shot as a mockumentary, is splendidly executed. The script is really nothing more than an outline of events for the cast is allowed to take the material and run with it infusing a sense of realism in the most exaggerated and outlandish of ways. It works wonderfully. The audience is never given a chance to get bored with or tired of the film but is constantly kept entertained. I have nothing even remotely negative to say about this film. Everything, even the smallest of supporting roles like Larry Miller and Fred Willard are just top notch and completely engrossing. It's a must see for any fan of the style, the cast or the brilliance that is Christopher Guest. So, pop the popcorn, fill your glass and pull up the depends cause a night with these clowns will have you pissing away your laughter.
Movie Review: I could watch BEST IN SHOW 24 hours a day for the rest of my life
Summary: 5 Stars
Set in the world of championship dog shows and cast with kooky characters who strive to have their pooch named top dog, BEST IN SHOW is a hilariously funny film that will easily have you laughing out loud.
Though there is a scripted premise, most of the dialog in BEST IN SHOW is ad-libbed by comedic greats that include Christopher Guest, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Ed Begley, Jr. to name just a few.
The gist of BEST IN SHOW is simple: five dogs whose owners have virtually nothing in common with each other, travel to Philadelphia to enter the Mayflower, a prestigious championship dog show, loosely based on the Westminster event.
Beatrice, the emotionless Weimaraner is shown by an uptight yuppie couple (Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey) who are nervous wrecks, read the J. Crew catalog like it is a work of great literature and constantly bicker with each other about their dog's mental health and the subtle differences the colors putty and ecru.
Rhapsody in White, the highly coiffed Standard Poodle is owned by a 90 year old kajillionaire's trophy wife (Jennifer Coolidge) who is having an affair with Christy Cummings, the dog's severe lesbian trainer (Jane Lynch).
Winky, a spunky Norwich Terrier is adored by a former party girl (Catherine O'Hara) and her nerdy, two left footed husband (Eugene Levy) who at every turn is forced to confront his wife's promiscuous past and her sloppy bookkeeping skills.
Miss Agnes, the fluffy white Shih Tzu is the prized pooch of two gay men, played brilliantly by Michael McKean and his campy live-in boyfriend (John Michael Higgins).
Hubert, the sad-eyed Bloodhound is shown by a single country boy, played by Christopher Guest, who created the series of mock documentary films that BEST IN SHOW is one part of.
There are far too many hilarious scenes in BEST IN SHOW to recount. Particularly great ones include the scene when Winky's owner and her husband check into their hotel and are offered a room in the storage closet by a stiff inn keeper who you may or may not recognize as Ed Begley, Jr.
Another great scene is when a very inappropriate color commentator (Fred Willard) reels off one bizarre observation after another about the dog's trainers, the judges and the clothing of its owners.
But perhaps my favorite scene is when Winky's owners visit an old friend who works as a hostage negotiator and announces almost demonically that when people are on top of a building and threaten to leap to their deaths, "they all jump."
BEST IN SHOW is a highly recommended DVD from the same mock documentary genre of This is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman. With star performances by some of the most talented comedians of our time, this movie will have you laughing out loud from start to finish.