6. Waiting for Guffman
One
of the funniest movies ever made, Waiting
for Guffman spoofs everything from documentaries and talent shows to local
politics and alien abductions. Efforts to put on a show celebrating the 150th
Anniversary of Blaine, Missouri, provide the “hook” for all the hilarity
presided over by Corky St. Clair (Christopher Guest), an oh-so artistic drama
coach who moved to Blaine from New York City. A wonderfully wacky group of
townspeople (played to the hilt by Fred Willard, Catherine O’Hara, Parker
Posey, Eugene Levy and Bob Balaban) take part in this historic event.
In my first review of Waiting
for Guffman, I said, “I’m not able to write much about this movie because
every time I think about it, I laugh so hard I can’t do anything else. Just be
sure to see it!”
Unfortunately, not everyone shared that opinion. Although
my husband and I saw director Christopher Guest’s comic gem three times during
its first theatrical release and enjoyed it even more each time (especially the
quirky musical numbers), the rest of our family didn’t like it at all. Now,
whenever I recommend a movie to them, they ask, “Is this another Guffman?”
Waiting for Guffman
paved the way for Guest’s later, more popular mockumentaries, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. But to me, Guffman remains the cream of the crop.
Why no widespread appreciation for it? Most of Guest’s admirers don’t even try
to answer that question. As the late Robert Benchley so wisely observed,
“Defining and analyzing humor is a pastime for humorless people.” (Betty Jo
Tucker)
