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Waiting For Guffman [1996]
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Superb off beat comedy
Review date: 2008-08-22 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a fine comedy movie from the Spinal Tap people. There are great one liners and a terrific cast. This is a small gem, a wonderful film.
Similar Products
- Best In Show [2001]
- For Your Consideration [2006]
- This Is Spinal Tap (Double Disc Set) [1984]
- A Mighty Wind [2003]
- This Is Spinal Tap [1984]
Reviews
Interesting mockumentary, now I see why
Review date: 2007-11-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
I didn't enjoy "For Your Consideration" but I decided to give director Christopher Guest another chance by seeing "Waiting for Guffman." Guest plays as Corky a quirky stage director celebrates his small town's history by putting on a play featuring local residents. Having recruiting a fun cast of SCTV and SNL make this one of the most creative comedies I've seen. It has many funny moments, especially from Corky. At times, I'm sure what the actors had to go through was embarrassing, especially when Willard and O'Hara were doing their duet. A way that that was put into perspective for me was when our school put on a performance of `Bye Bye Birdie', and the person who played Gloria Rasputin, a glitzy dancer who is not very good, commented how embarrassing it was to be bad.
The photography was amateurish, especially in the beginning, but that gave it a more authentic feel to the documentary-type it is. However, if this is all supposed to be a documentary, then there are a few shots that don't seem right. The townspeople are knocking on Corky's door, and then we see Corky sitting in the bathtub. Also, right after scene was done in the musical; we follow the actors going backstage. If the camera was just in the audience, how can it get on stage?
Much of the dialogue was obviously improvised, and it tells. Whenever someone just got a whiff, they went on to talk about whatever, and it's often very funny. Some of the deleted scenes on the DVD are just improv, especially from Fred Willard, who is just hilarious.
Something that makes this different from other movies is that there is no background music, because this is supposed to be a documentary. It really put more of an authentic feel. Another point that I loved is the combination of a regular movie and an ensemble movie. Instead of having some well-developed characters or no characters to care about, Guest put in deep characters, that have back-stories that we actually care about, and it's amazing that he can put all of it in 80 minutes. "Waiting for Guffman" is a very funny piece that isn't as much about the bad actors but the interesting story that goes on behind the scenes. If you enjoy quirky pictures that can be uneven but also funny, this is your type of movie.
The quirkiest - and best - of the Mockumentaries!
Review date: 2006-12-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
Those familiar with the series of American 'Mockumentaries' produced by an ensemble cast, headed by Christopher Guest - surely the most unlikely holder of an English peerage in history - and American Pie's Eugene Levy, will need little convincing to try this film, which sits somewhere in the decade-wide gap between 'This Is Spinal Tap' and the more recent 'Best In Show' in the group's impressive CV of semi-improvised comedies. If it has been suggested that Guest's off-beat genius would be better suited to British tastes than those at home, then it seems unfortunate that this effort has gone unnoticed outside the US for so long.
On this occasion the guys and girls are taking a look at the world of amateur theatre in small-town USA, as the proud inhabitants of Blaine, Missourri, prepare to put on a show telling the story of their home town's 200th anniversary. Despite limited subject matter - prosperity brought about by a chance presidential encounter with locally made household furniture, and Roswell-esque happenings in the 1940's - misunderstood artiste Corky St. Clair (Guest) rallies the local populace to the cause. With news that broadway critic Mort Guffman will be passing by on opening night, the pressure is truly on as the part timers begin to dream of the big time....
It's certainly an acquired taste, but for those in on the joke the dialogue of 'Guffman' will have you in near-continuous histerics from start to finish. If 'The Office' had you giggling or indeed cringing, you'll absolutely love it.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Eugene Levy
Christopher Guest
Parker Posey
Matt Keeslar
Catherine O'Hara
Creators:
Catherine O'Hara (Primary Contributor)
Christopher Guest (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900825269
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-02
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 80 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1996
Language: English (Original Language)