A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: For Your Consideration

Date Viewed: 11/25/06

Details:

Catherine O'Hara

Ed Begley Jr.

Eugene Levy

Harry Shearer

Christopher Guest

Parker Posey

Fred Willard

Written & directed by: Christopher Guest

Score: 1/2

The Review: From Christopher Guest -- the director who brought you twisted and hilariously satiric views of dog shows (Best in Show) and the folk music scene (A Mighty Wind), and the screenwriter behind Spinal Tap -- comes his take on the entertainment business: For Your Consideration. We lurk on the set of a peculiar, low-budget and limited-audience movie ("Home for Purim") as it starts to get a bit of anonymous award "buzz" and (consequently) hits the "commentary" circuit. It doesn't hurt that the two senior stars have dimmed so much (they're mentioned querulously on the pseudo-TV segment "Lost and Found") that one of them is better known as Irv the talking wiener on radio ads. Then the studio suits start to push some changes, and who knows where it will end up?

For all its heritage, Consideration strains too hard and too visibly for some of its punch -- yes, perhaps "a director's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's an Oscar for?" -- and it falls flat in several places. Thankfully, it is reasonably short and doesn't overstay its welcome. Not quite as good as either Best in Show or A Mighty Wind, but not that bad, either.

(25-Nov-06)

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