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Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Michael McKean ... see more see more... , Michael Hitchcock , Parker Posey , Jennifer Coolidge , Jane Lynch , Fred Willard , Bob Balaban , Patrick Cranshaw , Don Lake , Ed Begley Jr , Larry Miller , Lewis Arquette , Will Sasso , Carrie Aizley , Fred Keating , Jay Brazeau , Jim Piddock , Stephen E. Miller , William Sasso , Ed Begley

After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman, actor/director Christopher Guest returns with another semi-improvised comedy that casts a ... read more read more...satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy), who is cursed with two left feet (literally), and his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) have entered their Norwich terrier "Winky" in competition. Wealthy and neurotic Meg Swan (Parker Posey) and her husband Hamilton (Michael Hitchcock) are on hand with their Weimaraner "Beatrice," who they fear may have been traumatized by watching them have sex. Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) have brought their beloved Shih Tzu, "Miss Agnes." Trophy wife Sherri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) and her close friend and trainer Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) are hoping for a repeat victory for Sheri's poodle, "Rhapsody In White." And Harlan Pepper (Guest), who operates a store specializing in fly-fishing gear, has decided to stack his bloodhound "Hubert" up against the competition. In addition to Guest, Levy, O'Hara, and Posey, several other veterans of the Waiting for Guffman cast also appear in Best in Show, including Fred Willard, Bob Balaban, and Lewis Arquette. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

86% liked it

53,281 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

108 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Christopher Guest

Release Date: September 29, 2000

Keywords: funny, hilarious

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DVD Release Date: May 15, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (4,010)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 30, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Christopher Guest directs this very funny mockumentary that is supported by a great cast of actors. Best in Show is one crazy film, and if you love these types of films then give it a shot. Best in Show takes a look at the competitive dog shows, and makes fun of it by showing how... read more ridiculous some competitors get. This is a good film that is wonderfully directed and acted. Best in Show is a funny mockumentary and is one of Christopher Guest's best films. I enjoyed the film very much, and the cast delivered funny, quirky and crazy performances. Best in Show is one of the funniest mockumentaries in a while, and this is a must see for people who enjoy mockumentaries. Best in Show captures the craziness that surrounds competitive dog shows perfectly. Though at times, the film misses the mark, there is enough good things going on on-screen to make this watchable, and with the great cast that Christopher Guest has at hand, the film works well enough to be a memorable comedy. Best in Show has enough laughs to keep you interested and it delivers a new type of comedic film going experience. Sure the film is not perfect, but it's guaranteed to make you laugh. Best in Show is one of the funniest mockumentaries since this is Spinal Tap, and is very entertaining with this cast of crazy actors. A fun film that's worth watching, and is a must see for dog lovers as well.
  • erika250
    August 14, 2011
    erika250
    Best in show is about a bunch of dog lover's journey to be the best in show. They come from all over the USA with a uinqe way to make their dog the best.
    Who will become best in show?
    Cons
    Lacking acting
    Lacking some plot
    Pros
    Really let you see what it like to be in a dog show.... read more
    Really good dogs.
    Funny at times.
  • blkbomb
    July 17, 2011
    blkbomb
    Buck Laughlin: And to think that in some countries these dogs are eaten.

    Best in Show, from the master of the mocumentary Christopher Guest, is a very funny movie. Although, not as hilarious as Waiting For Guffman, Best in Show still hits it's target. Guest is so good at taking... read more a not-so-popular subject and making it incredibly funny. This takes awhile to really get going, but once it does it's pretty much non-stop laughs. It really takes form once the dog show actually begins.

    Christopher Guest uses his usual cast and the standouts to me are Jane Lynch and Fred Willard. Fred Willard as the dog show commentator is priceless and provides the great majority of the laughs. The rest of the cast is really good as well. I find that I only like some of these actors when they appear in a Christopher Guest movie, such as Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge.

    The humor in Christopher Guests mocumentaries is not for everyone and I'm never surprised when I hear someone say they hate his movies. His comedies don't use the usual types of humor. It's kind of subtle and dry, but still really funny.
  • jennifxu
    May 1, 2011
    jennifxu
    I admit that I am not the greatest fan of Christopher Guest mockumentaries, but even I thought this one was pretty great.
  • kenstachnik
    April 2, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Not quite as good as Spinal Tap or Waiting for Guffman, but a really strong entry in the mockumentary genre.
  • fb100001493964409
    January 22, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    This movie is in a tie with "This Is Spinal Tap" for the best mock-u-mentary ever. This movie is a simple, but brilliant concept with a perfect execution. Its simple, a "documentary" that focuses on the (mostly insane) dog owners who are on there way to one of the biggest dog sho... read morews in the U.S. The first part of this movie establishes the dogs and their owners. The opening scene is almost worth the price of admission in establishing the owners of a gray weimeraner and... Well, I won't spoil the rest, but its funny. The other contenders are a gay couple and their Shih Tzu, a woman reminiscent of Anne Nicole Smith and the real dog trainer's (played by Jane Lynch) poodle; a man and his wife from Florida (the wife went around a LOT to say the least prior to the marriage) that own a Norwich Terrier; an incomprehensible hick (played by Christopher Guest in one of his funniest roles) and his Bloodhound. The second part focuses on the dog show itself, and this is where the movie kicks the hilarity into high gear (and considering how funny the first part is, that's saying a lot). This is mostly because of Fred Willard playing one of the commentators of the dog show, and he is so rude, so dumb, and downright straight faced about it. I'm surprised his fellow commentator doesn't burst out laughing, but he keeps a straight face as a very posh British man. If you've ever seen a dog show or (especially) if you have owned/currently own a dog, you must see this. Its hilarious to the core and tons of fun to watch. Is it better than "This Is Spinal Tap"? I think its more accessible (Best in Show has a PG-13 and This Is Spinal Tap has a well-deserved R), but in my mind, there at a tie. But no matter which you think is better, this is a funny funny movie.
  • fb619846742
    May 31, 2010
    fb619846742
    A flat-out funny mocumentary of the people involved in dog shows, and how competitive they are against one another. One of the most original comedies ever constructed, with hilarious, side-splitting performances from the whole cast and masterful direction from Christopher Guest. ... read moreWithout a doubt one of my favorite comedies, and one that should be viewed more than once - it's a blast.
  • lewiskendell
    May 13, 2010
    lewiskendell
    As much as I love mockumetaries, I've yet to fall in love with any of Christopher Guest's beloved movies. And I really don't know why. I'm a huge fan of clever, understated humor, but I can't get past being mildly entertained by those of Guest's films that I've seen.

    I will say ... read morethat I enjoyed Best in Show more than This is Spinal Tap. Mainly because you don't have to know very much about dog shows and owners to enjoy the jokes. Spinal Tap relied heavily on being around during that time period and knowing a bit about the subject matter. That's great if you match those criteria, but not so swell for me.

    Best in Show benefits from being about something that inherently has a lot of potential for humor. I mean, it's about a DOG SHOW! If you can't manage a few guffaws out of that setup, i honestly don't know what to say. I laughed out loud several times, personally. I just was never quite amused as often as I was hoping to be.
  • Chiefilms
    January 16, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Dogs and dogowners, bowsers, funny.
  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    Very funny mockumentary, typical Christopher Guest and one of his best!

View All Best in Show Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne
February 8, 2008
Mark Bourne, Film.com

...it's always a pleasure to watch this ensemble of gifted talents do what they do best -- be spontaneous and funny and surprising. What we get is a master-class demonstration of the distinction betwe... Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

I enjoyed Best in Show... But I didn't laugh as hard as I did during Guest's previous comedies, This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting for Guffman. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
January 1, 2000
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

The rather unoriginal satiric flaw becomes obvious, in most cases, within 30 seconds, the film has little to do but repeat the same giant bull's eye gags over and over again. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 1, 2000
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Whatever the reason, [Guest's] films have always developed cult followings once they hit video. Hopefully, Best in Show will buck that trend and be successful in theaters, too. Full Review

Kevin Maynard
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz

The film's bite is as toothsome as its bark.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A wickedly funny mocumentary. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

The actors' ad-libbed responses, along with their amateurish reactions to the ever-present camera, are more forlorn than comedic. Full Review

Carla Meyer
January 1, 2000
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

In terms of dramatic tension, Best in Show is more compelling than a lot of formulaic sports movies. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

[Fred Willard's] a one-man storm of escalating inanity, and he's hilarious.

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It's still a pretty good comedy -- but no more and no less. Full Review

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Best in Show Trivia

  • Which comedy about dog lovers teamed the following actors together: Eugene Levy & Catherine O'hara, Christopher Guest, Jennifer Coolige and Jane Lynch, Parker Posey and Michael Hichcock?  Answer »
  • In "Best In Show," what is the name of the sponsoring kennel club?  Answer »
  • In "Best in Show," what is wrong with Mr. Fleck physically?  Answer »
  • In "Best in Show," how many times has Rhapsody in white won Best in Shoe?  Answer »
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