Best in Show (2000)

A colorful array of characters compete at a national dog show.

Director:

Christopher Guest

Writers:

Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy

Stars:

Fred Willard, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jay Brazeau	...	Dr. Chuck Nelken
Parker Posey	...	Meg Swan
Michael Hitchcock	...	Hamilton Swan
Catherine O'Hara	...	Cookie Fleck
Eugene Levy	...	Gerry Fleck
Carrie Aizley	...	Fern City Show Spectator
Lewis Arquette	...	Fern City Show Spectator
Dany Canino	...	Fern City Show Judge
Bob Balaban	...	Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
Will Sasso	...	Fishin' Hole Guy
Stephen E. Miller	...	Fishin' Hole Guy
Christopher Guest	...	Harlan Pepper
Michael McKean	...	Stefan Vanderhoof
John Michael Higgins	...	Scott Donlan
Colin Cunningham	...	New York Butcher

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

dog show | mockumentary | dog | gay | dog trainer | 

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Taglines:

Some pets deserve a little more respect than others.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and sex-related material

Details

Official Sites:

Castle Rock

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dog Show

Filming Locations:

Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$413,436, 1 October 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$18,621,249, 29 April 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fred Willard shot his entire part in a day and a half.

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Goofs

When the hotel manager swipes Gerry and Cookie's credit card there is no magnetic strip on the back of the card.

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Quotes

Buck Laughlin: I don't think I could ever get used to being poked and prodded like that. I told my proctologist one time, "Why don't you take me out to dinner and a movie sometime?"
Trevor Beckwith: Yes, I remember you said that last year.

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Crazy Credits

The filmmakers wish to thank the dog owners, handlers, veterinarians and experts who shared with us their enthusiasm and unselfishly dedicated their time and energy to this film.

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Connections

Spoofs Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

Terrier Style
Written by Eugene Levy
Performed by Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara

User Reviews

As good as Spinal Tap

This is the funniest movie I have ever seen. However, I have laughed harder at plenty of movies. This is because Best In Show's brilliance lies not in slapstick or one-liners, but in sophisticated and layered verbal wit. The improvised dialogue is is so quick that you end up laughing not at each individual joke, but only until after several jokes build on one another, each disarming your senses until the jokes climax and you can't help letting loose.

It's a well-shot film, but what makes it extraordinary is the acting. I was impressed on my first viewing, but when I watched it after having learned that virtually every scene is improvised, I was amazed. It was thoroughly enjoyable to see the comedians work off each other, build jokes out of nothing, and completely immerse themselves in their characters.

I imagine the golden days of Second City were like this.