BEST IN SHOW (DVD) DVD

Best in Show
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. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast Eugene Levy as Gerry Fleck Catherine O'Hara as Cookie Fleck Christopher Guest as Harlan Pepper John Michael Higgins as Scott Donlon Michael McKean as Stefan Vanderhoof Michael Hitchcock as Hamilton Swan Parker Posey as Meg Swan Jennifer Coolidge as Sherri Ann Cabot Jane Lynch as Christy Cummings Fred Willard as Buck Laughlin Bob Balaban as Dr. Theodore W. Milbank III Patrick Cranshaw as Sherri's Husband Don Lake as Pageant manager Ed Begley Jr. as Hotel manager Larry Miller as Cookie's former boyfriend Lewis Arquette as Fern City Show Spectator Will Sasso as Fishin' Hole Guy Carrie Aizley as Fern City Show Spectator

Crew Gary Myers - Art Director Stuart Aikins - Casting Monique Prudhomme - Costume Designer Jack Hardy - First Assistant Director Christopher Guest - Director Robert Leighton - Editor Gordon Mark - Executive Producer Jeffery Vanston - Composer (Music Score) Joseph T. Garrity - Production Designer Roberto Schaefer - Cinematographer Karen Murphy - Producer Mark Weingarten - Sound/Sound Designer Jim Behnke - Unit Production Manager Eugene Levy - Screenwriter Christopher Guest - Screenwriter

Best in Show
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. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
 

Christopher Guest: Independent Spirit Awards, Best Director (nominated) Christopher Guest: Writers Guild of America, Best Original Screenplay (nominated) Eugene Levy: Writers Guild of America, Best Original Screenplay (nominated)

American Film Institute, AFI's Top 10 Films of the Year (winner) Golden Globe, Best Picture - Musical or Comedy (nominated) National Board of Review, Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French Subtitle Options: English, French Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel Additional Features: Feature-length audio commentary by director/co-writer Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy Deleted scenes Interactive menus Theatrical trailer Cast/filmmaker profiles Scene access Languages & subtitles: English & Français [dubbed in Quebec] MPAA Rating: PG13 DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 90 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 0. Index 1. Harlan at home. [:48] 2. Scott and Stefen at the party. [1:10] 3. The Swans Before The Show. [2:26] 4. Harlan at original cabin. [1:09] 5. Sherri Ann and Christiy. [:51] 6. Gerry and Cookie - alternate epilogue [1:33] 7. Harlan and arrowheads. [1:13] 8. Scott and Stefan at home [4:12] 9. Remote control dog. [1:47] 10. The Swans after the show. [:54] 11. Hair on the knees. [:43] 12. Harlan drives. [4:33] 13. Slobber rag. [1:07] 14. Stefan at Salon. [2:25] 15. Harlan and Lil' Buddy. [1:18] 16. Talman's. [2:49] 17. Leslie and Buck. [:57] 0. Scene Selections 1. Beatrice's therapy. [2:14] 2. How the Flecks met. [2:20] 3. Bloodhounds are best. [2:57] 4. All-American love story. [2:00] 5. So much in common. [1:48] 6. How the Swans met. [2:08] 7. Walking and talking. [1:53] 8. God Loves a Terrier; unconditional love. [3:19] 9. Philadelphia-bound (Louisiana Nights). [4:24] 10. Unwanted attentions. [2:35] 11. Tricks of their trades. [5:00] 12. Talk to Daddy. [1:53] 13. A.M. Philadelphia [1:50] 14. Flack for the Flecks. [4:38] 15. Party time. [4:40] 16. Bedtime lullaby. [1:32] 17. Buck and Trevor. [1:30] 18. "Get Busy Bee!" [1:24] 19. Here come the hounds. [4:03] 20. Letting go. [2:04] 21. Poodles on parade. [3:28] 22. Wrong and right animals. [1:53] 23. Wholly terrier. [2:18] 24. History and Beatrice dismissed. [2:17] 25. Two mommies. [3:10] 26. Gerry's time. [2:11] 27. Seven finalists. [2:21] 28. Once around. [3:51] 29. Best in show. [1:55] 30. Terrier Style. [1:52] 31. American Bitch. [1:30] 32. Harlan's new voice. [1:28] 33. Great love scenes. [1:17] 34. Kipper's a winner. [:50] 35. End Credits (Mutt's Strut). [5:17]