We recently rented this movie because we liked Best In Show so much. I liked the filming style and appreciated the jokes about the characters and how they made fun of them selves. It's hard to find such good, low-budget film today that relies on raw talent such as Best In Show and Waiting For Guffman and is filmed more like a documentary.

The Story
The small town of Blaine, Missouri is approaching its 150th anniversary and the town committee is planning a big celebration including a parade, fair, and a show put on buy the local high school music and drama teachers. Like Best In Show, this movie starts off with a brief interview with all the main characters about their history and why they live in Blaine. Many of the same stars in Best In Show are also in this movie as different characters.

Anyway, the drama teacher, Corky, is fairly new to the little town of Blaine from New York City and seems to fit the profile of an exaggerated drama queen, however, he wears a wedding ring and talks about a wife, but no one in the town has ever seen her. Anyway, it's his job to audition the towns people and choose who will be right for the anniversary play.

Among the accepted is, Libby, a local Dairy Queen employee picked for the young female role. Libby is stereotypical white trash in every way imaginable, from living in a trailer to her tobacco stained teeth. But, she's able to ramble on about bigger dreams and that's why she wants to be in the play.

Next are Ron and Sheila Albertson, the local, matching jogging suite wearing travel agents that seem to be the socialites of the little town. They're confident that they'll be in the play because they always are part of the towns' events and have worked with Corky before.

Then, there's Dr. Allan Pearl, the town's dentist, who has decided to try out to try something new, not sure if he'll make it but wanted to do it for his wife. Sure enough, his unique singing seemed to win over Corky and Allan thinks he's discovered a new dream.

Next, Corky goes hunting for his other stars in the town, including a young male auto repair technician and an old town member, living in a field-based trailer, who seems a little slow and maybe not like acting material. But Corky insists that his talents are needed and gets the rehearsals rolling with his new cast.

Also, there's Lloyd Miller, the high school music teacher and was the organizer of these events before Corky showed up. But, now he's just the music organizer and there seems to be a little rivalry between him and Corky.

Now, Corky is determined to make this the best show ever and puts his cast through a lot of hard work, he also decides he needs more money and asks the town committee for $100,000. They look at him and laugh wildly and say that was a good joke. Shocked that he can't get this money, he gives up on the show, putting Lloyd back into the spotlight, until the cast and committee go begging for him to return.

So now the show goes on, no matter what and is full of humor. The final production is hilarious to watch and the characters take some unexpected turns in the ending.

The Cast
Corky - Christopher Guest
Ron and Sheila Albertson - Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara
Libby - Parker Posey
Dr. Allan Pearl - Eugene Levy
Lloyd Miller - Bob Balaban

My Opinion
Through a little slow at times, I really enjoyed this movie. One of the things that made it so fun to watch was the character eccentricity. Corky was basically a drama reject that couldn't make it in New York, but the isolated towns people couldn't see this and thought he was a genius. They worshipped him. There also seemed to be a running joke about Corky hiding his being gay from the town.

The story maintains a good sense of humor as it follows the lives of these simple town folk practicing for the big production, the problems they encounter, arguments, and social events. There are some funny scenes of the Pearl couple trying to get along with the Albertson's and going out to dinner with them.

Also, following Libby and her smoking, trailer life while preparing the show will bring some laughs. Her and Corky seem to have some strange encounters while working on the show together.

Overall, it's a great movie to watch for anyone, through younger audiences may get bored with the lack of action. It's a refreshing change from pricey films and has many underlying jokes about the life of a small town that many people may appreciate.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12