Talking To The Screen

Waiting for Guffman :1996

In this mockumentary, Christopher Guest tells the story of Blaine, Missouri's 
sesquicentennial celebration.  The centerpiece of the festivities is a pageant 
documenting the history of Blaine.  'Waiting for Guffman' chronicles the 
theatrical process that goes into this back water production, 'Red, White and 
Blaine'.

The cast has spectacular comedic chemistry.  Christopher Guest plays Corky St. 
Clair, the director of 'Red, White and Blaine', a flamboyant off-off-Broadway 
failure who somehow landed in Missouri.  Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard play 
Sheila and Ron Albertson, travel agents who have never left the country.  Eugene 
Levy (who also co-wrote the film with Guest) is hilarious as the town dentist, 
Dr. Pearl.  Last but certainly not least, independent film's darling, Parker 
Posey is cast as Dairy Queen employee, Libby Mae Brown.   These unlikely 
thespians all have high hopes for the show, and high esteem for themselves.  
Convinced their pageant is Broadway-bound, Corky writes to every critic in New 
York, receiving a response only from Mr. Guffman.

The film becomes mostly a character study of these five characters and their 
interactions.  Each character in isolation is laughable in being so pitiful.  
When placed in juxtaposition to each other, there is no one to be hopeful for, 
no one to feel triumph with.  However, there is more than enough to laugh at.  
Personally, the only character I felt sympathy for was the high school music 
teacher and musical director of the show played by Bob Balaban.  He is the 
simple American town of Blaine's past.  The former director (pre-Corky) of the 
town musical shows how things used to be, when they were done simply and well.  
The overture and music of the pageant is breathtaking in contrast to the high 
school caliber acting, choreography, and production.  Corky's newyorkness 
enchants the sleepy depressed town that looks back to its glory days when it was 
the nations leading producer of footstools.  (That's right, "The Stool Capital 
of the World".) Ultimately, though, Corky's enthusiasm leaves both him and the 
cast flat.

I realize this is an odd review for a comedy, a comedy by the co-author of 'This 
is Spinal Tap' no less.   I'm not trying to say that this movie isn't funny.  
Quite the contrary, in fact, I laughed out loud throughout.  But the feeling it 
left me with wasn't one of humor, but a somewhat pathetic look at middle 
American washed up towns.  Even the tag line, 'There's A Good Reason Some Talent 
Remains Undiscovered', fills me with pity.

For excellent humor and comedic range try 'Waiting for Guffman' with 'Best in 
Show'.  For middle American depression watch with 'Gummo' and interchange Blain 
and Xenia.