- Film Review
- Reviewed By David Parkinson
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4 out of 5
After lampooning a heavy metal band in This Is Spinal Tap and amateur dramatics in Waiting for Guffman, "mockumentary" maestro Christopher Guest scores again with this howlingly funny look at dog owners. Guest co-writes, directs and appears in this sharp but never malicious satire that follows a cross section of contestants preparing for a (fictitious) Philadelphia dog show. Playing breeders who are often more highly strung than their pets, the members of the impeccable ensemble cast improvise their way through an inspired series of keenly observed set pieces. But the standout is Fred Willard, whose badly briefed TV compere is a masterly creation. Eschewing cheap shots, yet not afraid of outrageous caricature, this is laugh-out-loud comedy with pedigree and bite.
Plot Summary
Satire about show dogs and their owners from the co-creators of This Is Spinal Tap, featuring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. At the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show in Philadelphia, the tension is building as the contestants prepare to go through their paces.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Harlan Pepper
- Christopher Guest
- Gerry Fleck
- Eugene Levy
- Cookie Fleck
- Catherine O'Hara
- Stefan Vanderhoof
- Michael McKean
- Scott Donlan
- John Michael Higgins
- Buck Laughlin
- Fred Willard
- Sherri Ann Ward Cabot
- Jennifer Coolidge
- Christy Cummings
- Jane Lynch
- Meg Swan
- Parker Posey
- Hamilton Swan
- Michael Hitchcock
- Dr Theodore W Millbank III
- Bob Balaban
- Leslie Ward Cabot
- Patrick Cranshaw
- Graham Chissolm
- Don Lake
Crew
- Director
- Christopher Guest
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