Dogs are funny. Dog shows are funny. Movies about dog shows are funny.
With this in mind, we present Best In Show. A movie about dog shows, and the people who compete in them.
Knowing nothing about dog shows myself (aside from the fact that they are funny) I have brought in a dog show expert to help me with my review. His name is Sparky.
Welcome Sparky.
"Woof! Woof woof woof!"
Now Sparky, you saw the new dog show comedy, Best In Show. How did it capture the realism of the dog show circuit?
"Woof! Arf! Arf arf arf woof arf! Woof!!!"
Well sure, but they still had to wear collars. Now you're a veteran of the dog show world, four-time champion and all, would any of the dogs in the show actually have a shot in the real world?
"Bow wow!"
You seem pretty sure. Not even the freaky-looking poodle?
"Grrrrrrr."
Ok, let's leave the poodle alone for now. Let's talk acting. What did you think of the performer's performances? Keep in mind that they really weren't given a script, so much as given a storyline and told to improvise the dialogue.
"Woof! Woof woof arf arf woof bow wow arf! Woof woof arf? Arf!"
Yes, I agree. Quite impressive. The movie is directed by Christopher Guest, same man who brought us Waiting For Guffman and who was a part of This Is Spinal Tap. Have you seen either of those movies by the way?
"Arf arf woof?"
No, they didn't have any dogs in them. At least not ones that were strong plot points.
"Bow wow wow wow!"
You're right, they probably would have been better with dogs in them. Anyway, back to this movie, which does have dogs in it. Guest's cast is much the same as his Guffman film, and they are truly some of the top improvisational performers around. Did you have any favorites?
"Woof woof woof arf arf arf woof bow wow! Woof woof!"
Besides the dogs, I mean.
"Arf."
Oh. Well I did. I thought Fred Willard was very funny as the sportscaster who knows nothing about dog shows, Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins were hysterical as the homosexual lovers bursting with pride over their prized Shih Tzu, Miss Agnes, Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara were magical as the suburban nightmares from Florida holding out hope for their beloved Norwich Terrier, Winky, Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock were brilliant as the overly-driven owners of the troubled Weimaraner, Beatrice, and that Christopher Guest himself was rib-ticklingly wonderful as Harlan Pepper, the down home hick who thinks his good old Bloodhound will take the prize.
"Woof?"
No, I will not repeat that. Anyway Sparky, would you recommend this movie?
"Arf arf arf!"
How about to humans?
"Arf!"
Yes, and so would I. How many Babylons would you give the movie?
"Bow wow! Bow wow! Bow wow! Bow!"
Yes, and so would I.
I'm thinking of having The Critic spayed later in the week. Think of it as my gift to humanity.
Best In Show
Rated: PG-13
Directed By: Christopher Guest
Starring: Christopher Guest, Parker Posey, Rin Tin Tin, Michael Hitchcock,
Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Lassie, John Michael Higgins, Benji, Michael
McKean, Patrick Cranshaw, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch and That Darn Cat.