Best in show - John Kenneth Muir

Best in Show is the first in-depth look at the method behind film director and actor Christopher Guest's madness
and genius. John Kenneth Muir focuses his attention on the acclaimed Guest-directed trilogy of what some call
mockumentaries : Waiting for Guffman
Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. In these films Guest has escorted rapt audiences into the purportedly real worlds of a small-town theatrical company
dog show competition
and folk music festival. Muir also details the events that lead to Rob Reiner's influential and legendary This Is Spinal Tap
which Rolling Stone called the best rock and roll movie of all time
and in which Guest played the part of guitarist Nigel Tufnel.Much of Best in Show exemplifies the unique process by which Guest directs films. He employs a common repertory company
improvises scenes often without any rehearsal
and does not use any screenplay with dialogue
instead following a detailed outline often co-authored with his ace actor/writer Eugene Levy. Company members that have been interviewed for this book include Fred Willard
Harry Shearer
Bob Balaban and Michael Hitchcock.Guest's influences
Saturday Night Live
National Lampoon
as well as his more conventional comedies
such as The Big Picture and Almost Heroes
are studied. Best in Show is general enough to bring new fans to the table
yet detailed enough to satisfy the most in-the-know Guest fan and film student. A complete filmography with Guest's directing
acting and writing credits is included
as is the appendix
You Know You're in a Christopher Guest Film When ... Guest once commented
I am drawn to people who have dreams that are slightly out of reach.
Now
thanks to John Kenneth Muir
the fascinating world of Christopher Guest and company is substantially more within reach.