I, personally, missed the mockumentary format in this film. That seems to me to be where Guest really shines, and has something to offer that nobody else does. But I’ve never really been the type to moan: Why didn’t they make the movie that I wanted to see? I take it for what it IS. At least I try to.
The first 10 minutes of the movie were pretty clunky, slow, and the tone was off. It didn’t find its sea legs, I didn’t know what I was watching, where I was, land that is rare with this group of talent. It just felt “off”. Without those faux documentary interviews, it was hard to get IN with these characters. The interviews in Guffman, Spinal Tap and all the others are psychologically devastating and astute character portraits … people whose behavior tells the whole story, while their words may try to cover up their anxiety, insecurity, whatever. “I know how the Kennedys must feel.” For Your Consideration didn’t have that and I think the film suffers for it.
Regardless, the observations about actors and scripts and directors were so spot on It’s insider humor. We insiders get to laugh and we laugh in a different way than outsiders do, who think we’re a bunch of morons, and laugh at it out of a feeling of superiority. “Hee hee, look at those morons.” But we laugh from recognition, a cringing recognition, yes, but recognition all the same. That’s one of the reasons why Waiting for Guffman is my favorite of his so far. Because even though it’s community theatre, and even though some of these people are ridiculous, I felt, watching it, Oh yeah. I remember that. I remember that this is why I do this, and why I love this. It’s not an unworthy pursuit, theatre. There’s a reason why people want to do it. Because it’s just fun to put on a show, frankly. And so the laughter from their silly rehearsals and theatre games and their over-dramatic moments of conflict, didn’t seem altogether stupid or pointless to me. I wasn’t really laughing AT them, I was laughing (and cringing) at how true it all was.
In the first scene in For Your Consideration, an actor in a sailor suit discusses his upcoming scene with the director, played by Christopher Guest. He goes on and on about his preparation (Jen and I were losing it in the audience – it’s an “in” joke – any actor, any director would recognize this behavior). Actor drones on (and yet he’s earnest, he’s not a blowhard, he’s not arrogant, there’s just something so RIGHT about how he plays it): “So I know that my father is dead … and yet I have all of this guilt about leaving my sister behind … but I don’t want to SHOW the guilt … and yet at the same time, I need to comfort my mother and let her know I understand ….” Actors talk like this all the time, and eventually the good ones ask themselves the question: how on earth are you going to play all of that at once?? Guest interrupts (and he’s so gentle), he says, “I think all of that is GREAT. I love that you have done all of this preparation. And you’ll definitely be able to use it. But I’m thinking maybe in another movie.” He says it with a total absence of mean-ness. What he essentially is saying is: “Wow. Don’t overcomplicate things. Just play the damn scene.” But he can’t SAY that, because he’s too invested in his self-image of being supportive and an “actor’s director”, so he says, “Use the preparation you’ve done in THIS movie for your NEXT movie.”
The supportive director who drives the writers crazy (writers played by Michael McKean and Bob Balaban). If a scene isn’t working, the director will “throw the script away” and have the actors do improvs to find the reality of the situation. Like he’ll have them switch parts, pointlessly (how on earth will that solve your script problems), so you see the actors, overly serious, doing games and improvs – stuff that definitely has its place but IN REHEARSAL, not when you’re on the set … Jen and I were crying with laughter.)
The reason to see this film is the genius of Catherine O’Hara. Catherine O’Hara is outrageously funny, of course, yet at the same time she can be so raw, and so pathetic and vulnerable that her work starts to approach that of a great tragedienne. She has it in her.
O’Hara is a chameleon. She is never just the surface of her character, she never just changes her hair and her accent and expects us to buy it. She BECOMES these people. In For Your Consideration we know just who this woman is. We see her. We don’t want to see what we’re seeing … but we see it, because it’s naked need. And yet – any actor would understand it. It’s why people who aren’t actors think we’re disgusting. Because we need things so nakedly. And normal people don’t like that. People like humility, people like you to “play well with others”. Etc. Fine, fine, but that’s NEVER who becomes successful. Catherine O’Hara shows that raw HUNGER … and it’s awful to witness. It is the ugliest part of us. I can see why people may not like this movie because who the heck wants to spend time with someone like that? It’s like the best of The Office: Ricky Gervais shows us a character like that. David Brent has a need to belong, to be liked, and he pursues that goal relentlessly, and I WINCE watching him try to get what he needs. It is ruthless humor. Brutal.
Catherine O’Hara is hilarious. Naturally. But then, like the true magician that she is, she goes to the heart of that need, that tragedy of failure, of loss, of not getting what she wants … and she breaks your heart.
For Your Consideration, unlike many of Guest’s other movies, does not have a lot of affection for the world it portrays. It’s a bitter film. A cynical bitter film. With a ton of laughs, sure … but the last scene is brutal. You see what has become of the Catherine O’Hara character … and Jen and I both were like, “Hooooleee crap.”
Parker Posey is HILARIOUS (especially in her one-woman show at the end called “No Penis Intended”, and it’s a horrible man-hating rant in a tiny theatre) … Jane Lynch is VILE (as she always is – I love that woman) … Fred Willard is a soulless ignorant smiley jagoff … (he’s a genius) … Bob Balaban is overly serious, trying to discuss the tradition of Purim on an Entertainment Tonight type show … like: No. No one cares about your precious thematic elements when you only have 20 seconds to make your pitch. I love how SERIOUS Balaban is. He’s unbelievable. One of my favorites. And Michael McKean is his co-writer and the two of them try to maintain SOME control over their words, their property … but it’s so hard not to sell out completely.
And then, of course, the exquisite Jennifer Coolidge who plays the dimbulb and yet enthusiastic producer (she says in the middle of one meeting, completely clueless, “What is the theme??” Like – she’s producing this movie and she doesn’t even know what it’s about.)
Rachael Harris (new to this ensemble) plays another overly serious actress in the movie within the movie and she is HILARIOUS. On the set, she’s all dour and stern and in character, and actress-y, saying in a quiet passive-aggressive voice to a gaffer or whoever, “Excuse me, could you call me by my character name?” All that kind of crap, and being so serious: her listening face, nodding, thinking, accepting, pondering – all BULL SHIT. it’s a brilliant little cameo but then you see her at the premiere party, and she is totally babed out like Paris Hilton.
Deborah Theaker, a Guest mainstay. She’s the one in Waiting for Guffman who says, “I know how the Kennedys must feel.” Nobody does gentle self-absorption like this woman. And Jim Piddock is the HILARIOUS dude who also was a dog-show announcer beside Fred Willard in Best in Show – the really proper man, English, horrified at Willard’s inanity. But look at him here. He’s the cinematographer. He’s all spiked out, and cool, and snaps gum – almost totally unrecognizable.
These people are geniuses.
But Catherine O’Hara.
That woman’s talent is scary. This actually might be my favorite performance of hers even though it’s certainly not a feel-good part. She is unbelievable. A real idol of mine.
Of all her roles, the mom in Home Alone is my favorite. I know it was not on the level of the Guest movies, but she was SPOT ON perfect.
She played it panicky, but not too much. You get the feeling that she’s rightontheedge, that if she gives into her panic, she’ll collapse because it’s the panic that’s feeding her determination to GET. HOME. She can’t let go of it, but she can’t give into it either.
And the scene at the end, where she just wants to hug him (as a mom, it makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME, and how gosh, how many times have I seen that movie? A bunch.) but she stands there, just looking at him, the RELIEF on her face, ohmigod. And then the utter, complete joy when he runs into her arms. All those emotions, never a word is said.
She is perfect. Perfect perfect perfect.
(And how is Ricky in the movie?)
Oh Lisa – I love you for reminding me of that! Yes – that is a perfect performance! Imagine how it could have been so bad, or melodramatic – but you’re right. It’s perfection.
Ricky has a pretty small part – he plays one of the studio execs who suddenly becomes interested in the movie once there’s Oscar buzz attached to it. So he’s basically a soulless dude in a suit. And there’s a VERY funny scene with Gervais and Larry Miller (who I also love but he has almost nothing to do in this movie) when they try to get the writers to change the title from Home for Purim to something more acceptable (meaning: less Jewish). Very funny.
Recently I re-watched Heartburn (did you ever see that??) – and she has a part in it – she plays a Washington society wife, gossipy, political, cunning, maneuvering – a blonde HELMET of hair, a big phony shark smile … perfect.
I read the book, but I never saw the movie. Meryl Streep had the lead, right?
Yes – Meryl!
The critics were pretty harsh on this movie. It was nice to read someone who had something good to say about it. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know I will eventually. I mean, if just looking at stills from the movie can make me laugh…
I think it definitely suffers from the lack of “interviews” – in my opinion, the interviews just catapult his movies to the level they need to be at. And I did wish to see these people in interview settings – talking right to the camera.
It didn’t QUITE work without that inside glimpse.
But the acting is uniformly great – and there are some truly HUGE laughs (the two battling movie critics are hysterical – the Siskel and Ebert types … so so funny) …
But it’s a vicious look at Hollywood – and the grind of fame and almost being famous – it’s not really a feel-good. It’s vicious – in a way that is VERY different from his other movies – hard to put my finger on it – Best in Show is kind of vicious but … not uncomfortably so. This movie is – you just can barely look at Catherine O’Hara in certain moments – and a lot of people just don’t like that, you know? I know people (hard to believe) who couldn’t BEAR to watch the British “Office” because David Brent’s dysfunction made them so uncomfortable.
I, on the other hand, love crap like that – if it’s done well, and it’s funny, and specific.
I LOVE David Brent. I could watch him be a big blowhard puffball in an interview for HOURS. I never get sick of it. It makes me uncomfortable but i LOVE it.
I remember my sister saying that about “The Office” the night we were all at Chumley’s. She literally cannot watch that show because she says it’s “too painful.”
hahahaha I know!
So, my question is, what do you think about the real Oscar buzz? Is she gonna get it?
I mean the nomination. I don’t think she’ll win, because Hollywood is stupid (and helen Mirren has a particularly showy role….and she too is BRILLIANT!). But do you think she’ll get nominated?
Man, I don’t know – I’m not getting that vibe right now, you know?
Annette Bening? Gimme a fucking break. Sorry. yes – okay – she’s good – but come ON.
They should nominate Catherine O’Hara just for being alive. Seriously – she does honor to the profession.
But I don’t know – she didn’t get nominated for a Golden Globe, and I’m just not feeling that there’s a buzz around this performance. Every review I’ve read is either negative towards the whole movie, so they don’t even really mention the actors – or lukewarm – but nobody points out just how amazing O’Hara is in this.
This is a GREAT performance in a mediocre movie.
Have you seen it, Alex?
Her face when she watches the nominations come out – I mean … it’s truly un. be. lievable.
And amen about Helen Mirren. She’s scary brilliant as well. Kind of untouchable (in my opinion) in terms of what she can do.
I just feel kind of resentful that Catherine O’Hara is not being nominated left and right like stupid Annette Bening is (sorry, I do like her – but seriously – come ON) … Just because O’Hara does comedies …
She’s as good as the best actor out there. I mean, she’s like freakin’ Gena Rowlands. It’s nuts.
There are certain episodes of the UK “The Office” that I have to kinda peek through my fingers to watch, like the one where David dances. I think it is HILARIOUS, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’s my self-consciousness that bubbles up then. Like, “Do *I* dance like that? Do *my* friends look at me like that?”
David Brent is in all of us, and not in a good way, I think.
(And I hear Oscar buzz about Ms. O’Hara, too.)
(However – Gena hasn’t won one either. Nominated once a bazillion years ago … but come on. She makes other actors look like amateurs. But she’s outside the Hollywood spin system – as is O’Hara. Annette Bening is firmly on the inside of that entire community … I don’t know. I think she’s a good actress but frankly I am sick of her being nominated for movies that nobody sees, nobody cares about – it’s like she is nominated no matter what she does.
It’s all meaningless – but it’s the acknowledgement that interests me. I want O’Hara to be acknowledged as the genius heavy-hitter that she is.
I would be so happy if she got nominated!
It would be one of those nominations that really MEANS something. Like Virginia madsen getting nominated. Or any of those people who come along and kind of upset the expectation … Like when Hilary Swank won (her first one). that came out of nowhere – and she was pretty much an UNKNOWN – I mean, that blew me away. I love it when crap like that happens.
At this point, I’d settle for anything that comes close to comedy being nominated in one of the major categories. Somewhere along the line, the Academy seemed to have decided that it was only going to nominate Really Important Movies and actors in roles where they play disabled alcoholics or hot actresses get made up as an ugly chick (that’s another pet peeve – when actresses are applauded for their “bravery” when they do this. There is nothing brave about shedding your vanity in order to do your job well. In fact, the next person that describes Charlize Theron as “brave” for appearing in a less-than-glamorous role is going to get punched in the face).
Maybe I’m just getting cynical about the whole thing because everyone in this town becomes so absorbed in all of it – months before the nominations are even announced – and that’s done months before the ceremony. All of the movies that come out this time of year are such *obvious* Oscar hopefuls and gunning for the statue has become so blatant and formulaic and the nominees largely predictable that I’m pretty much only planning on tuning in to see the cool dresses and watch Joan Rivers talk shit about everyone’s clothes.
As always, I am completely invested in every single second of the entire process. Annoying or no. And I agree it’s annoying – but it’s just not a TURN OFF kind of annoyance for me. it’s enjoyable annoyance. I love it all.
Speaking of which – I REALLY need to get to see Helen Mirren in Queen. Alex, dear – have you seen it??
Maybe you, me and Mitchell should go see it this weekend – if we can work it out? Like – Saturday during the day, or a Sunday matinee or something?? I’d love to see it with you guys.
I still want my Remains of the Day lunchbox.
But I’d settle for a Prime Suspect lunchbox instead. I love Helen Mirren.
Ha! Or the “My Dinner with Andre” action figures??
And yeah, Helen Mirren is just so damn good. I love Prime Suspect.
You’re going to love the last episodes of Prime Suspect when they make it over there. Top form all around (though no Mr O Hara).
Catherine O Hara (is there a theme?) has a sister named Mary Margaret who put out this one wonderful amazing album, Miss America, and then dropped off the face of the earth. But what a voice.
Carrie – I did not know that about her sister!!
SOLD. I was going to see it anyway, but now I’m at that kind of frothing at the mouth eager frenetic need to see this film. I love this ensemble as a whole, but long before her work with them, I loved Catherine O’Hara.
Sometimes – like Home Alone or The Wool Cap or Home Fries – when she has a role with less screen time or her part hasn’t been as much publicized – I’ll be sitting there watching… and she walks on screen and it’s almost like this feeling of relief and increased anticipation bth at once… I just find new life suddenly breathed into it because she is there and she’s brilliant and everything about the film will be better because she’s part of it. You know?
Eeek. I have to go see this movie now.
Rachel Harris is in this? Well, now I have to see it.