Funniest Performance in the Christopher Guest Directed Repetory Movies

I was going to make this a poll, but that would take a lot of work, and then someone would post "Why didn't you include X?" within the first 5 minutes anyway, so ...

Film Struck is currently streaming the "big 4" Christopher Guest directed films that feature the usual suspects - "Waiting for Guffman", "Best in Show", "A Mighty Wind" and "For Your Consideration". I was inspired to rewatch all 4, and was curious who other people thought gave the funniest performance.

After whittling it down, my final showdown was Fred Willard in "A Mighty Wind" ("Wha happened?") facing off against Fred Willard in "Best in Show" (with special acknowledgment for Jim Piddock's incredible work as Willard's straight man). Needless to say, Fred won.

Make as many selections as you want. Poll closes by Purim or Thanksgiving, your choice.

 

I think you've already given the definitive answer. Willard is brilliant in these movies. For 2nd place, I'd choose Guest himself as Corky in Guffman.

 

Parker Posey - Best in Show.

 

Yes, you nailed it already for me already.
Willard for the win and to place for the two movies you've mentioned with him and probably Catherine O' Hara to show for Best in Show .

If I'm not mistaken the cast members are given plenty of room to improvise within the framework of the situation .

If that's actually the case Fred gets an extra shout out from me for his hilarious lines when he is sitting at the table with the other guy at the dog judging .

They are all great movies and the returning cast members all make me laugh .

I know " underrated "is a stupid expression , but if there was any justice in this world Catherine O'Hara should be up there in Meryl Streep territory , IMO.

 

That character is such a left turn from the character she played in "Waiting for Guffman". What an incredibly unlikeable couple.

 

To me there is a lull in "Best in Show" after a strong start, and then along comes Fred's play-by-play and the movie goes up three notches. Why CAN'T the bloodhound wear a Sherlock Holmes outfit?

 

"We were so lucky to have been raised amongst catalogs."

 

Fred Willard for the win!
Best in Show

 

So many to choose from! I'll go with Fred Willard in Best In Show. Think I'm gonna watch this tonight.

 

A Mighty Wind for me.

 

Gene Levy is absolutely hilarious in the first three

 

These films are an embarrassment of riches, but I'd have to go with Christopher Guest as Corky!

 

Catherine O'Hara does a brilliant Streep impersonation on SCTV

 

When Dr. Pearl "does Carson" in "Waiting For Guffman" I totally lose it.

 

Eugene, not Gene.

 

Levy & O'Hara are both great in 'A Mighty Wind' , in their scenes together and separately.

 

Corky was too unlikable/annoying.

That said, Hitchcock and Posey as the insufferable yuppie couple in "BiS" were delightfully unlikable - much funnier than Corky!

"You go back and get her Busy Bee!"

 

I was gonna mention that pair as probably the best acting performance in a Guest movie, as they provided actual drama.

Wouldn't call 'em the funniest though!

 

He's only in one of the films (I think, anyway), and then for about a minute, but I love this sequence.

There are 5 letters in Blaine!

 

I find the Corky character to be exceptionally likeable. He has an earnestness that is endearing and he is fully invested in this silly little play and its chances for Broadway.

 

I guess we're in "agree to disagree" territory!

From my review:

"Corky himself feels especially hard to embrace, as he seems like a neurotic, self-absorbed megalomaniac for the most part. Guest offers much more warm and gentle performances as Tap’s Nigel Tufnel or Show’s Harlan Pepper, but those sides rarely appear as Corky.

Corky’s an amusing role, but Guest makes him a bit too catty, and the choice to play him as gay pushes matters a little further in the negative way. Yes, this broad portrayal makes sense for this sort of spoof, but it comes across as a little too harsh at times."

 

Um, Corky's as straight as an arrow. His wife is just, well ... no one's ever seen her is all.

 

i love the gal interviewing Ricky Gervais in "For Your consideration": "When would be the best time to visit England? The Fourth of July?"

 

Fred for the win...

 

What makes Fred Willard's commentary in "Best in Show" even more amazing to me is that he was improvising all those lines in an empty arena. The action he was describing was not actually going on. He was just told what would be going on.