A return to THE BIG PICTURE by way of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, Christopher Guest's FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION is more of a pure narrative than adlibbed mockumentary. A film within a film a la AND GOD SPOKE or LIVING IN OBLIVION, it's obvious that some of the scenes rely on actors adlibbing (Jennifer Coolidge's scenes feel the most so) but others have been completely "locked down" and shot as a traditional (albeit flatly lit) film.
The inner narrative, HOME FOR PURIM, sounds as if it were penned by Ed Begley Junior's character from A MIGHTY WIND as it's peppered with out of place Yiddish. HOME FOR PURIM exacerbates the "sore thumb" phrases by putting them in the mouths of a 1940s Southern family. Think Blanche Dubois going meshuge or KATS ON A HOT TIN DAKH. We follow the production of HOME FOR PURIM, joining it already in progress. Here we see the cast's dynamics and how they change when the film gets an early Oscar buzz.
With appearances by Guest's regulars (along with a few notable newcomers such as Ricky Gervais and Rachel Harris), I didn't find myself getting too invested in any of the characters, even leading lady Catherine O'Hara. There are some great moments in FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION but it's not a Guest film that I'll be watching again soon.
The inner narrative, HOME FOR PURIM, sounds as if it were penned by Ed Begley Junior's character from A MIGHTY WIND as it's peppered with out of place Yiddish. HOME FOR PURIM exacerbates the "sore thumb" phrases by putting them in the mouths of a 1940s Southern family. Think Blanche Dubois going meshuge or KATS ON A HOT TIN DAKH. We follow the production of HOME FOR PURIM, joining it already in progress. Here we see the cast's dynamics and how they change when the film gets an early Oscar buzz.
With appearances by Guest's regulars (along with a few notable newcomers such as Ricky Gervais and Rachel Harris), I didn't find myself getting too invested in any of the characters, even leading lady Catherine O'Hara. There are some great moments in FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION but it's not a Guest film that I'll be watching again soon.