"For Your Consideration," 2006
Directed by
Christopher Guest
Written by
Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy
Catherine O'Hara .... Marilyn Hack
Ed Begley Jr. .... Sandy Lane
Eugene Levy .... Morley Orfkin
Harry Shearer .... Victor Allan Miller
Christopher Guest .... Jay Berman
John Michael Higgins .... Corey Taft
Jennifer Coolidge .... Whitney Taylor Brown
Parker Posey .... Callie Webb
Rachael Harris .... Mary Pat Hooligan
Fred Willard .... Chuck Porter
Jane Lynch .... Cindy Martin
Christopher Moynihan .... Brian Chubb
The movie is great because it's not overtly funny--it doesn't smack you over the head and it's a little more subtle. We didn't laugh at the humor until most of the scenes were over because they were so awkward, and the characters were so self-absorbed, all we could do was laugh. Also, the movie takes a look at how inane and ridiculous the Hollywood scene is, which isn't something many actors like to admit; these actors go so far as to mock themselves throughout the entire movie.
And in mocking themselves, all of the actors in this movie are spectacular. The main theme is just how self-possessed each character/actor is with him or herself, and by the end, each one's selfishness (or lack thereof) is rewarded. Fred Willard and Jane Lynch, as the Hollywood Now hosts, are hilariously undercutting, biting, and dimwitted. Each wears young people's styles (fauxhawks and short skirts) on their mid-50s bodies and attempts witty and edgy banter with the actors they interview, which shows off how out of touch they are with Hollywood, let alone with the Oscar race. After the movie releases, Catherine O'Hara's character changes her style completely from a woman truly comfortable in her skin to a woman trying to please everyone, while other characters simply fade into the background and return to their former lives. Eugene Levy's character, the agent, is two-faced and constantly backpeddling for the money. Harry Shearer's character seems to show some of the humanity still somehow alive in Hollywood: he takes any acting or voice-over job he can get in order to pay the bills. Even after the nomination buzz, he returns to infomercials and other short-term commercial work. Though these actors are used to off-the-cuff, ad lib movies like Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, the scripts seem to do these people well--the chemistry among actors still shows, and each delves into his or her character with zest and determination, even with guidance from writers and a neurotic director (and actor-director).
Overall, this movie was both well conceived and well executed. The meta-movie approach is not new to Hollywood, but in this case, it plays out better than other movies about making movies-due in part to the writing, but also to the acting and the directing. We'd recommend seeing this movie if you’re a fan of off-kilter, subtle humor, awkward scenes (think The Office), and tongue-in-cheek dialogue.
Overall: A-
(with help from skaboi37)