sunsphxsuns More than 18 years after its theatrical release, Best in Show remains one of the top 20 classic "Mockumentary films" of our age. The current IMDB user rating of 7.5 clearly contradicts how passionately film fans love and adore this movie. Christopher Guest is a remarkable film maker, not only as a gifted writer (former SNL) and director (Best In Show, This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting For Guffman, Mighty Wind, Mascots, etc.), but also for his spectacular ability to select and retain the kind of acting talent necessary to pull off fast paced films like this. With only a mere 16 pages of actual script, the bulk of the film is hilariously improvised by some of the best comedic talent in the industry. That's saying quite a lot, given the plethora of versatile actors in the theatrical selection pool. Guest is no slouch himself in the acting and improv departments. His entire appearance and accent changes with each film, from "Heavy Metal Rock God" to "Red Neck Camper." Sometimes Guest is almost unrecognizable in his own films. Best In Show was edited down from more than 60 hours of filming. The end result is a worthy and extremely funny look at people who breed and competitively "show" some of the most pampered and well groomed dogs in the world. The magnificent cast runs wild with line after line of beautifully executed improvisation, and it's difficult to say who makes us laugh (or cringe in some wonderfully awkward scenes) the most often. In any case, the camera rolls on. My only complaint with Mr Guest is that he does not produce more of these. Note to Ms. Jaime Lee Curtis (AKA Mrs.Guest) if you are reading this please ask Chris if he's up for another Mockumentary saga, any subject. I'm certain that no matter what he ultimately decides to write and direct will always be well received by fans and newbies alike.

Garrett Raakman This movie is incredibly hilarious, the eccentric people and their dogs competing for the best in show is a great example of intelligent humor. Each of the dog owners and their dogs offered a unique story, and presented an insight into the psychological idiosyncrasies of pet ownership, and competition. And the different stories drew me in and made me curious to learn who would win.

Sharon Jones If you want good comedy and a chance to see the funny interaction of people and their dogs, you must watch this. The portrayal of the owners is so cliché as it matches the idea some people may have already established about how far people will go in their treatment of their pet. Of course, the dogs are portrayed as "normal" while the personality of the owners is on the borderline of obsessed. Very entertaining and a great movie for the whole family. It will bring a smile to your face!Besides being a movie about dogs at a dog show, it focuses on the personality of the owners and their crazy lives, which are embellished to the point of comic ridiculous.Great for the whole family.

Jacob Rosen There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but it's the finely observed character studies that make this gentle mockumentary by Christopher Guest so enjoyable. Guest, along with co-writer Eugene Levy, populates the world of dog shows with identifiable people and while they often draw caricatures (particularly a married couple, played by Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey, who project their fears, hostilities and parenting efforts upon their Weimariner; and Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins as an over-the-top gay couple), the ensemble has such affection for the characters you're happy to accept them for who they are. This is because the improvisational aspect of the dialog makes everyone seem real; you feel as if you know and sympathize with them as they struggle to succeed, as in the case of Levy and the sublime Catherine O'Hara, playing a couple who find they can't afford a hotel room and are put up in a utility closet by the well-meaning hotel manager (wonderfully played by Ed Begley, Jr.). Even those meant to be identified as "villians" (dog handler Jane Lynch and owner Jennifer Coolidge) understand their characters so well it's impossible not to like them. The film is immensely entertaining and seems to fly by, so much so that it belies its reasonable ninety minute run time.