B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the work of Christopher Guest into the ol’ VCR. 

Friends, I’ve decided to bookend this week that we started with Catherine O’Hara with a piece about one of my favorite directors, Christopher Guest. 

I’ll admit that I was late to the game on Christopher Guest. One of my old (and favorite) managers quoted Best in Show when we were working one day. I had no clue what he was referring to, and he told me I needed to watch all of Christopher Guest’s movies immediately. The rest, or in this case, Guest, is history. 

The biggest struggle for me in putting together this piece has been how to structure it. I don’t want to do a ranking of his movies because it changes, with the exception of A Mighty Wind being my favorite. 

I love this episode of The Adventures of Pete and Pete.

I think that instead of reviewing his films individually, I want to talk about their overarching style. I’m a sucker for a mockumentary (see my thoughts on Theater Camp). Christopher Guest might not have the longest filmography, but his quality control is truly incredible. From writing This Is Spinal Tap to giving us the likes of Waiting for Guffman, and being married to one of the most badass women in Hollywood, Christopher Guest has revolutionized the mockumentary genre. 

There are some standouts like Brutal Massacre and Drop Dead Gorgeous that didn’t originate from the desk of Guest, but he did lay some great foundation for other directors and writers to come. I also want to give Eugene Levy his dues because he’s co-written most of the movies we know and love. 

Additionally, let’s talk about the Christopher Guest main players like Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Jane Lynch, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge, etc… The rotating cast Christopher Guest has established over the years is like The Avengers of comedy. If he didn’t work with such heavy-hitters, I don’t know if the comedy would translate as well. But, fortunately for us, it does. 

I don’t watch The Royals, so let me know which season this is from. 

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw out some disclaimers. I’m aware that there are some jokes within the Guest-iverse that I don’t condone. I understand he’s played a gay character, and there are some jokes at the expense of the LGBQTIA+ community, among other things. 

If these things are triggering or upsetting, I more than understand! I don’t think they’re permissible, and I don’t condone them. Overall, his content is pretty tame, but again, I do understand the hesitation to watch. 

Christopher Guest’s movies are funny (while sometimes problematic), and his works helped shape the mockumentary format we’re familiar with today. His movies are those I can turn to when I need a laugh, and I know they’ll always deliver…even on the days I want to go home and bite my pillow.