Details:
Movie Title: Best in Show
Released Date: September 29, 2000 (U.S. limited release)
Tagline: “Some pets deserve a little more respect than others.”
Runtime: 90 minutes
Director: Christopher Guest
Screenplay Written By: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Based On: Original screenplay inspired by the world of competitive dog shows
Is it a remake?: No
Budget: Approximately $10 million
Box Office: Approximately $20.8 million worldwide
Main Cast:
- Christopher Guest — Harlan Pepper
- Eugene Levy — Gerry Fleck
- Catherine O’Hara — Cookie Fleck
- Jennifer Coolidge — Sherri Ann Cabot
- John Michael Higgins — Scott Donlan
- Michael Hitchcock — Stefan Vanderhoof
- Parker Posey — Meg Swan
- Michael McKean — Stefan Vanderhoof
- Jane Lynch — Christy Cummings
Awards:
- Won Best Comedy Film at the American Comedy Awards
- Won Best Screenplay at the Hollywood Film Festival
- Nominated for numerous critics’ association awards for ensemble acting and comedy writing
- Recognized by the American Film Institute in comedy-related lists and retrospectives
Short Plot Summary:
The film follows several eccentric dog owners as they travel to Philadelphia to compete in the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Each contestant brings their own personal quirks, relationship issues, and obsessions into the competition. Presented in mockumentary style, the film satirizes competitive dog shows and the personalities surrounding them. The story culminates in the judging of the coveted “Best in Show” prize.
Key Quotes:
- “We both love soup.” — Sherri Ann Cabot
- “God loves a terrier.” — Harlan Pepper
- “Busy bee!” — Meg Swan
- “There’s a lot to unpack there.” — Scott Donlan
Trivia
Director:
- Christopher Guest encouraged extensive improvisation, with actors creating much of their dialogue and character backstories themselves.
- Guest reportedly provided actors with outlines instead of a traditional completed screenplay.
Cast / Casting:
- Many cast members previously worked together in Guest’s earlier mockumentary Waiting for Guffman.
- Jennifer Coolidge improvised many of Sherri Ann Cabot’s memorable lines.
- Several actors spent time studying real dog show competitors before filming.
Soundtrack / Score:
- The score was composed by C. J. Vanston, a frequent collaborator of Christopher Guest.
- “God Loves a Terrier” became one of the film’s most recognizable musical moments.
Location:
- Filming primarily took place in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
- The fictional Mayflower Dog Show was staged specifically for the production because real dog shows would not allow filming.
Behind-The-Scenes:
- Around 60 hours of footage were reportedly shot due to the improvisational nature of production.
- Real dogs were used throughout filming, requiring trainers and handlers on set at all times.
- Actors remained in character during many filming breaks to maintain improvisational continuity.
Nostalgia:
- The film helped popularize mockumentary-style ensemble comedies before shows like The Office became mainstream.
- NBC’s televised National Dog Show gained increased popularity after the movie’s release.
Easter Eggs:
- Several dogs and background characters reference actual Westminster-style competition culture.
- Character names and dog pedigrees contain intentionally absurd wordplay familiar to dog-show enthusiasts.
Misc:
- Much of the humor came from actors reacting naturally to improvised lines they had never heard before.
- The film developed a strong cult following and is frequently referenced in comedy retrospectives.
- Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies recreated scenes from the movie for Halloween in 2022, earning praise from the original cast.
Sources Cited:
- IMDb: IMDb – Best in Show (2000)
- Wikipedia: Wikipedia – Best in Show
- Box Office Mojo: Box Office Mojo – Best in Show
- Rotten Tomatoes: Rotten Tomatoes – Best in Show
- TMDb: TMDb – Best in Show
- Additional Sources:
