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Theatre director Corky St Clair, fresh from his dazzling production of 'Backdraft - The Musical', is hired to orchestrate the 150th birthday celebrations of the small town of Blaine, Missouri. Unfortunately, his potential cast - the local dentist, Keanu Reeves-wannabe Johnny, Dairy Queen employee Libby Mae - combine star-struck ambition with pint-sized talent. However, in the grand Broadway tradition, the show must go on, no matter what cost to the dignity of those involved.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Mitch Ralley
Format:DVD
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.
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.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A. Broadhead
Format:DVD
Christopher Guest's directorial debut has still not been released on DVD or video in the UK, and to my knowledge has never been shown on TV (terrestrial or digital) either. I don't know why, as it is surely more aimed at the ironic, sarcastic nature of the British viewer than it is the in-your-face, slapstick humour of our friends across the pond. Anyway...
If you liked Best In Show, or A Mighty Wind, you'll love this. If you didn't, you won't. That's it, in a nutshell. The same cast, the same style, the same everything. Replace a dog show, or a folk music festival, with an amateur dramatics scenario, and it's pretty much same as before.
Christopher Guest plays Corky St Clair, a "resting" actor, who has settled in the Missouri town of Blaine, which is currently preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary, and Corky has been asked to direct a play starring some of the town's residents, to illustrate Blaine's history. Cue Eugene Levy as the town's Jewish dentist, and Fred Willard and Catharine O'Hara as the town's travel agents, who each think that they are better actors than their chosen professions. Include an old-timer and a young mechanic, plus a girl who works at the local fast food restaurant, and you've got a bunch of actors who dream of appearing on Broadway. And when Corky gets a telegram to say that New York talent-spotter Mr Guffman will be in town, the stage is set.
The first part of the film concentrates on interviews with the cast, the town dignitaries, and Corky and the musical director, the second part is the show itself. And what a show. You have to see it to believe it...
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By CJ
Format:DVD
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wating for Original Aspect Ratio!
A splendid film, never smug, superior or laughing AT the characters. Even in this badly cropped, zoomed in edition of the movie there is so much to enjoy. Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by CJC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting mockumentary, now I see why
I didn't enjoy "For Your Consideration" but I decided to give director Christopher Guest another chance by seeing "Waiting for Guffman. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Waiting for more fantastic comedy
Guffman is the continuation of a form of film-making that is solely recognised as the work of Christopher Guest. Spoof documentary-making that is. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2004 by "h4jewellers"
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