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4.0 out of 5 stars
"Mighty," though not quite "Best", June 8, 2004
This review is from: A Mighty Wind / Best in Show (DVD)
Actor/director Christopher Guest first stole moviegoers' hearts as the dumb-as-a-brick rocker Nigel in "This is Spinal Tap." Since then, he's been recapturing their hearts with his kooky, hysterical mockumentaries, two of which are folk-music spoof "A Mighty Wind" and dog-show mockery "Best in Show."
"Best in Show" is the title all these dogs are striving for. Or, to be more specific, their owners are striving for it. One of the biggest dog shows is turned inside out with the arrival of a bisexual socialite and her twitchy trainer/girlfriend, a ventriloquist hillbilly, a pair of deranged yuppies, a gay pair dripping with joie de vivre, and a guy with two left feet. Literally. And the show can only promise to provide more mayhem.
"A Mighty Wind" is blowing when folk-music mogul Irving Steinbloom dies. As a homage to dear ol' dad, his son arranges for the biggest former folk groups to return: ex-lovers Mitch and Mickey, the Folksmen, and perky folk-group New Main Street Singers (who now include ex-porn stars and color-obsessed witches). Things aren't quite as they used to be -- they're older and a bit crazier -- but things get along with a few minor problems...
"Best In Show" and "Mighty Wind" are unique spoofs in a world of gross-out comedies. They keep a straight face, while revealing stuff like WINC (witches who worship cosmic color), cross-dressing folk singers, and yuppies who met and fell in love at two Starbucks' from across the street. One of the funniest moments in both movies is when an air-headed socialite says solemnly about her geriatric husband, "We could not talk or talk forever... and still find things to not talk about."
However, "Best" isn't quite up to the level of "Wind," or of Guest's other forays into mockumentary territory. The humor is more blatant and repetitive, and the characters are less quirky than outright weird. It's funny, but not up to Guest's usual standards. However, Guest has clearly regained his footing in "Wind," which approaches the affectionate nudge-winking of his "Waiting for Guffman." The characters are more likable and yet quirky, and they don't fall into caricatures like "flamboyant gay couple," "idiot trophy wife" or "backwater hick."
"Best in Show" doesn't quite live up its name, but it's still a funny movie, and a pleasant accompaniment to the hilarious "Mighty Wind." For fans of witty comedy and spoofs, these are must-haves.
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