Best In Show

The phrase "Best In Show" is dog-owners jargon for Overall Champion, the best of the best and Christopher Guest's movie of the same name follows the paths of 4 "couples" and one loner's intercut stories in their relentless path towards The Mayflower Dog Show, the Holy Grail of dog shows, a competition that only one of them (and their dog) can win.

Best In Show movie review: stars Christopher Guest

Best In Show

The loner is director Guest, himself, starring as the appallingly dull Harlan Pepper, a fishing tackle shop owner, nut enthusiast & amateur ventriloquist, who's presenting his bloodhound, Hubert.

Gerry Fleck (Co-writer Eugene Levy), a men's apparel salesman with, literally, two left feet (he needed therapy to stop him walking in circles) and his vivacious wife, Cookie (Catherine O'Hara), a formerly promiscuous waiteress, whose service various men they meet seem to keep remembering and reminding both of them about, are presenting Winkie, their terrier.

Then there's the squabbling yuppie lawyers Hamilton Swan (Michael Hitchcock) & his wife Meg (Parker Posey), who are undergoing analysis with Beatrice, their weimeraner.

Screaming queen Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) & his restrained straight-acting and formerly-married hairdresser partner Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) are presenting their Shih-Tzu &

Trophy wife Sheri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) & her handler Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) are presenting 2 times Best In Show prize-winning poodle, Butch.

With this eccentric crew, Guest steers you through the world of dog shows, making Best In Show, an education, in the very least. Of all the owners, it's only his character, Harlan Pepper, who seems to genuinely loves his dog. The other owners seem to be more interested in their own dramas than their animals, which may even, sadly be the case.

The cast are in fine form, with many excellent moments from all, especially from Hitchcock & Coolidge, who sparkle with the room they're given by their respective partners, McKean & Lynch.

Best In Show DVD

"...Best In Show was an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday evening. Uncharacteristically, my wife and I laughed out loud quite often..." Amazon reviewer Jean E. Pouliot

"...A friend suggested this movie for me to watch on a long plane flight. What he didn't tell me was that the amount of laughter that I would generate would annoy the other passengers! If you love comedies this is for you, if you love animals, this is for you, if you want to kick back and have a good belly laugh, this is for you..." Amazon reviewer Geri "Birdie"

"...This is a great movie for anyone who has ever shown dogs...it really shows some of the crazy personalities that you see when you spend many weekends on the road traveling to shows. I have shown dogs for over 30 years and still am amazed at this quirky world. This is a movie to watch again and again..." Amazon reviewer L.Shaw

Because of the nature of improvisation, the deleted scenes provide a wonderful extra dimension and really should be viewed to take Best In Show to another level. Guest's droll audio commentary helps a lot, too and with the help of the extras, I recommend Best In Show as wonderful oddball entertainment.