Taglines: Some pets deserve a little more respect than others.
The owners (and handlers) of five show dogs head for the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. A film crew interviews them as they prepare for the trip, arrive at Philly’s Taft Hotel, and compete. From Florida come the Flecks: she keeps running into old lovers. A wordless ancient in a wheelchair and his buxom trophy wife who may have a thing for the dog’s handler own the two-time defending best in show, a poodle. From the piney woods of N.C. comes a fella who wants to be a ventriloquist. High-strung DINKs feud loudly in front of their Weimaraner. Two outré gay men from Tribeca round out the profiled owners. The dog show brings out the essence of the humans. Who will be best in show?
Best in Show is a 2000 American mockumentary comedy film co-written (along with Eugene Levy) and directed by Christopher Guest. The film follows five entrants in a prestigious dog show and focuses on the slightly surreal interactions among the various owners and handlers as they travel to the show and then compete during the show. There are also short depictions of the characters six months after the show is over.
Among the comedic aspects of the film are similarities between the personalities and characteristics of the owners and those of their dogs. Much of the dialogue was improvised. Many of the comic actors were also involved in Guest’s other films, including This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, and Mascots.
Best in Show (2000)
Directed by: Christopher Guest
Starring: Jennifer Coolidge, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, Lewis Arquette
Screenplay by: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Production Design by: Joseph T. Garrity
Cinematography by: Roberto Schaefer
Film Editing by: Robert Leighton
Costume Design by: Monique Prudhomme
Set Decoration by: Elizabeth Patrick
Art Direction by: Gary Myers
Music by: C.J. Vanston
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sex-related material.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: September 29, 2000
Visits: 69
