Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard
Year: 2000
Some movies you have to be a little strange to appreciate. For that matter, you have to be a little strange to create them. Christopher Guest movies aren’t for everyone, but if you can tap into the incredibly odd humor you will experience a type of comedy that you don’t see everyday. Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind; these “mockumentary” films created a unique genre with their take on documentaries, showing us how ridiculous it is when we take ourselves too seriously.
Best in Show is a story of dogs and the people who love them. As the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show approaches, various owners and handlers prepare themselves and their precious pets for a chance at the coveted blue ribbon. Harlan Pepper with his bloodhound Hubert, the Flecks from Florida with their terrier Winky; each group’s quirks both help and hinder their chances. The competition is fierce and each dog brings his or her own personality to the contest, but only one can be best in show.
Again, not for everyone, but if you can find the weird comedic strain and hold on, you’ll be in for a great ride. Much of the acting is done through improv, so the movie relies heavily on comedic timing and great natural actors. Luckily, they all produce, as this group has worked together on other films and knows what it’s doing. Veteran comedians with extremely quotable lines, the cast creates a movie flies by and leaves you wanting more. Best in Show is one of the best comedies you’ll ever see, assuming that you laugh fifty times in the first five minutes. If you don’t, don’t bother.
My rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆