Review of Best in Show (2000) by Eric F — 18 Jun 2009

Christopher Guest, who has had a largely unrivaled influence on the mockumentary genre after co-writing and starring in "This is Spinal Tap", has gone from rock bands to dog shows. In "Best in Show", Guest assembles the majority of the cast from his 1996 cult classic "Waiting for Guffman" and centers his story around a Philadelphia dog show. It's a satirical look at the obsessive pampering of dogs by their owners, and about how people spend more time making their pets happy than their spouses. Above all that, though, it's just a funny movie. That's all you really need to know. If you like to laugh, and you're not too fond of the familiar sight gags we see in so many major comedy releases, "Best in Show" will have you rolling.

The entries in this year's dog show are all owned by eccentric couples, outside of the lonesome North Carolinian Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest), who runs a fishing shop and claims his bloodhound will win via telepathy. Joining him are Hamilton (Michael Hitchcock) and Meg (Parker Posey), a yuppie couple who met at Starbucks. Not the same Starbucks, however, at different Starbucks' on opposite sides of the street. There's also the homosexual couple of the flamboyant Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean). Sherri Ann Ward Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) also carries out a gay affair with her lesbian dog handler, Christy (Jane Lynch), while she's waiting for her rich elderly husband to die. When Sherri is asked about her relationship with him, she mentions that they both enjoy soup and that they can not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about. Rounding out the crew is Gerry (Eugene Levy) and Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) Fleck. Gerry has two left feet - literally, and Cookie has apparently slept with everyone in the northeast.

While everyone in the cast is hysterical, it's Fred Willard's supporting role as a commentator that steals the show. He's a curious, but completely oblivious man who clearly has no idea what he's talking about. When the toy breeds are called on stage, he comments that it's a shame that they're eaten in some parts of the world. He then asks whether or not dogs from different countries bark in different languages. From a lesser comedian, such lines wouldn't be so humorous... but it's Willard deadpan enthusiasm that makes you believe every word. Rarely do you see a comic actor take such control over the audience and get them to laugh, without fail, every time he opens his mouth.

The drama behind the dog show isn't very effective and we're never too anxious to see who wins, but that doesn't matter. We laugh, and laugh, and laugh until it hurts. Much of the film is clearly improv, and there's nothing more entertaining than watching hilarious people just trying to make each other laugh.