Year of Release: 2006
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Bob Balaban, Scott Williamson, Don Lake, Larry Miller, Ed Begley Jr., Jim Piddock, Linda Kash, Carrie Aizley, Ricky Gervais, Christopher Moynihan, Craig Bierko, Mark Harelik, Casey Wilson, Deborah Theaker, Mary McCormack, Scott Adsit, Rachael Harris, Sandra Oh, Richard Kind
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
Synopsis and Review:
Following the well received "A Mighty Wind", Christopher Guest gathered his troupe once again, to tackle a mockumentary this time around focused on film making. The film specifically focuses on a group of unknown actors, who are currently making a low budget period drama under the title of "Home for Purim". The film tracks Marilyn Hack, who is an actress playing the matriarch on the film, as well as Victor Allen Miller, another fellow thespian, who plays the patriarch but also does a lot of commercial work, Callie Webb, playing the daughter, Brian Chubb, who plays the son, Jay Berman, the director of the feature, and a vast array of other characters, including agents, producers, TV hosts, all of whom are either directly involved in the feature or in its periphery. The enthusiasm revolving around the film gathers momentum once an anonymous post on the Internet suggests that one performance is
Oscar-worthy (initially, Marilyn's). Following that initial buzz, two additional cast members are also highlighted, which in turn prompts attention from "Variety" and appearances on TV. With all this sudden attention, the studio executives insist on changes in the script in anticipation of a blockbuster. As the film makes its debut, and the reviews start pouring in, everyone is anticipating for the Academy Award nominations, which upon release, leave everyone in its trail in a mix of disappointment and surprise.
Following the well received and reviewed "A Mighty Wind", "For Your Consideration" is another finely pointed satire from Christopher Guest focused this time on the Film industry, particularly on the flurry of events that occur when buzz surrounding someone or a particular film starts building up, towards the Academy Awards, and what that implies for everyone in that sphere. It's a satire that pokes fun not only at the actors, but the entire array of professionals in the field, including directors, producers, publicists, agents, shows that live from the release of films (and gossip of course), allowing for all these characters to expose a bit of the silliness that underlies it all. Much like the best of Christopher Guest's films, this mockumentary exposes the silliness of the industry, but does so with a heart and with love for the characters. It also demonstrates the superficiality and transient aspect of this attention, which comes and goes as the spotlight constantly changes. In this particular case, "For Your Consideration" is a fantastic showcase for the versatility and talent of the fantastic Catherine O'Hara, who starts the film as a struggling actress, and come the end, finds herself in a challenging situation once again, but quite transformed. The overall cast is phenomenal as usual, with Parker Posey and Fred Willard, providing strong (and hilarious) support. Another entertaining feature worth watching from a great satirist.
Following the well received and reviewed "A Mighty Wind", "For Your Consideration" is another finely pointed satire from Christopher Guest focused this time on the Film industry, particularly on the flurry of events that occur when buzz surrounding someone or a particular film starts building up, towards the Academy Awards, and what that implies for everyone in that sphere. It's a satire that pokes fun not only at the actors, but the entire array of professionals in the field, including directors, producers, publicists, agents, shows that live from the release of films (and gossip of course), allowing for all these characters to expose a bit of the silliness that underlies it all. Much like the best of Christopher Guest's films, this mockumentary exposes the silliness of the industry, but does so with a heart and with love for the characters. It also demonstrates the superficiality and transient aspect of this attention, which comes and goes as the spotlight constantly changes. In this particular case, "For Your Consideration" is a fantastic showcase for the versatility and talent of the fantastic Catherine O'Hara, who starts the film as a struggling actress, and come the end, finds herself in a challenging situation once again, but quite transformed. The overall cast is phenomenal as usual, with Parker Posey and Fred Willard, providing strong (and hilarious) support. Another entertaining feature worth watching from a great satirist.
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