Year of Release: 1996
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Lewis Arquette, Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Willard, David Cross, Michael Hitchcock, Bob Balaban, Don Lake, Larry Miller, Deborah Theaker, Linda Kash, Paul Dooley, Matt Keeslar, Brian Doyle-Murray, Paul Benedict, Scott Williamson
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
Synopsis and Review:
Following his feature directorial debut with the remake of "Attack of the 50ft Woman", which in the US premiered as a TV movie but outside of it, actually premiered in the theaters, actor/writer/director Christopher Guest tackled the first of what would become a trademark for his, the comedy mockumentary "Waiting for Guffman". Working in tandem with his troupe of actors and co-writer Eugene Levy, "Waiting for Guffman" focuses on the story of Corkt St. Clair, a theater director currently living in the town of Blaine, Missouri, after a stint living in New York where he essentially was a fledgeling actor. His prior Theater experience, has allowed him to flourish as a Writer/Actor/Director in his local theater productions. As the city is preparing to celebrate its 150th Anniversary, he decides to embark in his most ambitious production yet, a musical chronicling the town's history titled "Red, White and Blaine", for which he casts a diverse cast of local amateur thespians. He also communicates to the cast, that having submitted the premise/book of the show to a series of NY contacts/Institutions, one Broadway producer by the name of Mort Guffman, will attend the premiere, and pending on the quality of the show itself, decide to take it to Broadway or not. This further energizes everyone to participate, though the show meets its fair share of challenges.
"Waiting for Guffman" is the film authored by Christopher Guest which established not only his style, but also the group of actors who have since then, been constant companions on his directorial endeavors. The film devotes attention to all the central amateur actors who are part of the production, but focuses on Corky's constant attempts at building this show as something that will make him a standout for a possible Broadway run (his chance to be "discovered"). It's a satyrical, and endearing look at the dreams of a group of people from a small town, who long to extend their wings and get some recognition, even if it is in a local theater production. The film is peppered with humorous situations, from Eugene Levy's dentist, to Fred Willard & Catherine O'Hara's married couple who are travel agents, though they have not traveled outside of Blaine. The cast is uniformly excellent, with Christopher Guest's Corky stealing the show, thanks to his mannerisms, ambition and haircut. Though his next films would allow him to finesse the style and range of the universe he so finely constructs, "Waiting for Guffman" is a hilarious and entertaining film worth watching.
"Waiting for Guffman" is the film authored by Christopher Guest which established not only his style, but also the group of actors who have since then, been constant companions on his directorial endeavors. The film devotes attention to all the central amateur actors who are part of the production, but focuses on Corky's constant attempts at building this show as something that will make him a standout for a possible Broadway run (his chance to be "discovered"). It's a satyrical, and endearing look at the dreams of a group of people from a small town, who long to extend their wings and get some recognition, even if it is in a local theater production. The film is peppered with humorous situations, from Eugene Levy's dentist, to Fred Willard & Catherine O'Hara's married couple who are travel agents, though they have not traveled outside of Blaine. The cast is uniformly excellent, with Christopher Guest's Corky stealing the show, thanks to his mannerisms, ambition and haircut. Though his next films would allow him to finesse the style and range of the universe he so finely constructs, "Waiting for Guffman" is a hilarious and entertaining film worth watching.
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