Best In Show

( 28 )

Overview

After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman, actor/director Christopher Guest returns with another semi-improvised comedy that casts a satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck Eugene Levy, who is cursed with two left feet literally, and ...
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More About This Product

Overview

After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman, actor/director Christopher Guest returns with another semi-improvised comedy that casts a satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck Eugene Levy, who is cursed with two left feet literally, and his wife Cookie Catherine O'Hara have entered their Norwich terrier "Winky" in competition. Wealthy and neurotic Meg Swan Parker Posey and her husband Hamilton Michael Hitchcock are on hand with their Weimaraner "Beatrice," who they fear may have been traumatized by watching them have sex. Scott Donlan John Michael Higgins and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof Michael McKean have brought their beloved Shih Tzu, "Miss Agnes." Trophy wife Sherri Ann Cabot Jennifer Coolidge and her close friend and trainer Christy Cummings Jane Lynch are hoping for a repeat victory for Sheri's poodle, "Rhapsody In White." And Harlan Pepper Guest, who operates a store specializing in fly-fishing gear, has decided to stack his bloodhound "Hubert" up against the competition. In addition to Guest, Levy, O'Hara, and Posey, several other veterans of the Waiting for Guffman cast also appear in Best in Show, including Fred Willard, Bob Balaban, and Lewis Arquette.
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Special Features

Commentary by director/cowriter Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy; Deleted scenes; Theatrical trailer
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Karl Williams
One-time star and co-writer of the greatest mockumentary of all, This Is Spinal Tap (1983), actor and director Christopher Guest creates this wickedly funny and intelligent character comedy with a cast of sublimely talented improvisational performers. Following up his well-received Waiting for Guffman (1996), Guest returns to the well of the little-used faux-documentary genre with splendid results, creating a comedy that is, if anything, even tighter, more focused, and funnier than his previous effort. It's interesting to note that, while many directors attempt to make improvisational-style films, those who succeed are almost always former writers such as Guest and James Toback. An improvised film is typically one wherein plot is sacrificed at the altar of character, and so rises and falls on the success of its performances. Best in Show is no exception to this rule, and the film's quality is a testament to actors typically cast in character parts finally getting a chance to shine at center stage, such as Michael McKean, co-writer Eugene Levy, and the seemingly ubiquitous independent film star Parker Posey. Best in Show was a sizable box-office hit in limited release and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy.
New York Times - Stephen Holden
"Best in Show" reunites many of the same brilliant comic actors who appeared in Mr. Guest's last movie, the cult comedy classic "Waiting for Guffman." .... As before, the actors improvising from a bare-bones screenplay (by Mr. Guest and Eugene Levy) riff off one another like jazz musicians to create what may be the cleverest on-the-spot caricatures since the heyday of Mike Nichols and Elaine May. ...The movie's weaknesses are inextricable from its form. For "Best in Show" is essentially a well-organized, exquisitely nuanced skit comedy, "Saturday Night Live"-style sketches loosely stitched together and refined to the nth degree. Although the movie pretends to have narrative structure, it doesn't really go much of anywhere. It is futile to look for deeper patterns in this kind of storytelling. The whole point is to savor the moments. This comic jigsaw puzzle is crammed with deliriously funny little bits.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/19/2013
  • UPC: 883929266043
  • Original Release: 2000

    • Rating:

  • Source: Warner Home Video
  • Region Code: A
  • Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:30:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 19,352

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Eugene Levy Gerry Fleck
Catherine O'Hara Cookie Fleck
Christopher Guest Harlan Pepper
John Michael Higgins Scott Donlon
Michael McKean Stefan Vanderhoof
Michael Hitchcock Hamilton Swan
Parker Posey Meg Swan
Jennifer Coolidge Sheri Ann Cabot, Sherri Ann Cabot
Jane Lynch Christy Cummings
Fred Willard Buck Laughlin
Bob Balaban Dr. Theodore W. Milbank III
Patrick Cranshaw Sherri's Husband
Don Lake Pageant manager
Ed Begley Jr. Hotel manager
Larry Miller Cookie's former boyfriend
Lewis Arquette Fern City Show Spectator
Will Sasso Fishin' Hole Guy
Carrie Aizley Fern City Show Spectator
Technical Credits
Christopher Guest Director, Screenwriter
Stuart Aikins Casting
Joseph T. Garrity Production Designer
Gary Myers Art Director
Jack Hardy Asst. Director
Robert Leighton Editor
Eugene Levy Screenwriter
Gordon Mark Executive Producer
Karen Murphy Producer
Monique Prudhomme Costumes/Costume Designer
Roberto Schaefer Cinematographer
Jeffery Vanston Score Composer
Mark Weingarten Sound/Sound Designer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 28 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(17)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 28 Customer Reviews

  • Posted May 29, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    God loves a terrier..... Bow Wow......

    A mock documentary of dog shows, and the people who attend them. This is one of my favorite movies, not only am I a fan of this cast, and their movies, but I am a fan of dog shows. This just proves that dogs are dogs, as long as they are loved and taken care of they are happy. It is the people who love them that get crazy, and have complexes.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Funny

    Very funny. Good spoof on dog shows.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Best Improv DVD of humans and dogs I've ever seen!

    This is the best improv DVD
    (of humans and dogs) I've ever seen!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Could Not Stop Laughing

    This is the best and funniest comedy I have ever seen. I love this movie!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best movie ever!

    This movie was amazingly funny! The colorful cast of characters makes this movie a sure hit! Christopher Guest is a comedic genius! If you haven't seen this movie see it! I highly recommend this. It'll have you rolling on the floor from all of the funny scenes! One of my all time favorite movies!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    More ''quotable quotes'' than you can shake a stick at.

    ''Best in Show'' stands as a cult classic to dog lovers and dog haters alike. It not only appeals to those who love their furry, slobbery, canine compainions but all of you out there who can't stand dogs and worse yet, their auspicious owners, will laugh till your belly hurts. This movie has so many smart, subtle, yet hysterical moments that you will find yourself smiling at weeks later. I put this in my top 10 must see comedies.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Pure genius

    Christopher Guest is a genius and he is supported by a simply amazing ensemble cast. I've been a huge fan since ''This is Spinal Tap''. I was completely floored when I found out that Best in Show(as well as ''Waiting for Guffman'') were largely improvised. I had watched a real documentary on TV the night before about a dog show and must say that the movie captured it quite accurately.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Neurotic Dog lovers

    Not well advertized, this comedy turns out to be one of best ones I have seen this year. There is no good category to put this under [other than comedy about neurotic people] but it is truly fun to watch and own.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best in Show -- Not just for the dogs!

    Probably the most hilarious comedy made in recent years. The achievement by the actors of this film is even more awe inspiring since most of the film was done improvisationally. Too many memorable moments to mention -- from Eugene Levy and his two left feet to the side splittingly annoying dog show announcer.....Best in Show proves that its not just for the dogs!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great!!!

    I have to admit when I first saw its title and cast I was very skeptical. But to my surprise, it instantly became one of my favorite movies of all time. I guess you can't judge a movie by it's title!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Greatest Movie Ever

    Best in Show, in my opinion, is the greatest comedy ever and nothing even comes close to its level. I could talk or not talk about this movie forever and still find things to not talk about. It is that amazing!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    From a former show dog handler

    I don't know what kind of research they did, but obviously they came pretty close to what it is like. I handled show dogs for about six years, and saw at one time or another all of the incidents satirized. Although some of the actors go a little overboard with stereotyping, they had it down. You can see versions of the movie's actors at almost any dog show. I have always been amused at how much the politics of dog handling overshadows, but not always, the dogs themselves. Overall a very cute light comedy. The dog show business is serious in many ways to the people involved. There isn't any money to be made in in for 99% of those involved, but it is special on a deeper level for many of the participants. In a way, I was one of those people you saw in the movie, and if I can't laugh at myself who can I laugh at. Enjoy.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Doggone funny! Two paws up...

    This movie was a laugh a minute. The depiction of ''dog show people'' was ridiculous but relatively accurate. The characters were hilarious and the anouncer stole the show...

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Two Paws Up!!!

    For all you dog lovers out there, this movie hits close to home. It highlights the excessive and sometimes embarassing lengths we go to in spoiling/pleasing our furry friends. You'll find that you're not the only one that includes you're ''little ones'' as part of the family. If you liked ''Waiting for Guffman,'' you'll love Christopher Guest's ''Best in Show.''

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 27, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2008

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    Posted July 31, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 25, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 27, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 20, 2008

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 28 Customer Reviews