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BONUS REVIEW
Movie Review of For Your Consideration (2006) [PG-13] 86 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $10.75
Where Viewed: Harkins Cine Capri at Northfield 18, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 24 November 2006
Time: 8:50 p.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Christopher Guest (A Mighty Wind )
Written by: Christopher Guest (A Mighty Wind ) and Eugene Levy (A Mighty Wind)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Catherine O'Hara (Monster House) • Ed Begley, Jr. ("Veronica Mars") • Eugene Levy (Over the Hedge) • Harry Shearer (Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School) • Christopher Moynihan (A Mighty Wind) • Christopher Guest (Mrs. Henderson Presents) • John Michael Higgins (The Break-Up) • Carrie Aizley (Best in Show) • Jim Piddock (Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties) • Jennifer Coolidge (Click) • Parker Posey (The OH in Ohio) • Rachael Harris (Kicking & Screaming) • Bob Balaban (Lady in the Water) • Fred Willard (Monster House) • Jane Lynch (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Writer / Director Christopher Guest of Best in Show and A Mighty Wind fame takes a stinging insider's look at Hollywood's movie production industry with his film, For Your Consideration about the making of a faux film called, originally, Home For Purim but changed to Home for Thanksgiving by the studio execs to give the faux film more audience appeal. It was the succumbing of the faux director and writers to the change of title that turned the film from a light comedy into a sad statement on the reality, if this is the reality, of corporate Hollywood today. It also was the turning point where the movie flipped from being somewhat entertaining to nearly intolerable. Sometimes, it seems, certain filmmakers are so far inside on the inside jokes and Hollywood machine, what their egos being to surpass reason and the resulting film becomes one that could only be loved by people in their inner circle. Sort of like when a family makes a home video of their holiday celebration where Aunt Milly whips up a vat of rice pudding sprinkled with cinnamon for Christmas Eve dinner when everyone is expecting their usual ravioli. Her indignation at the suggestion that her rice pudding is insufficient sustenance and the ensuing food fight with the rice pudding might be mildly amusing to onlookers outside the family, but on family members will get that this is really Uncle Cyril's doing as he's the one who set the children to work for days prior making homemade breads, cakes, cookies, and yes, the handmade raviolis only to have these stored in the basement freezer for his later consumption which is what makes the story so funny to the family. Probably everyone who has ever tried to make any kind of movie that involved Hollywood and the studios will have had experiences in For Your Consideration or the making of Home for Purim. These people likely will find this film much more enjoyable and funny than the rest of us confined to living vicariously through Entertainment Weekly and "Entertaiment Tonight". In any case, the film about making a film concept is usually a lot more fun and entertaining than this film turned out to be.
"…egos run amok…With all of the talent on and off the screen, this really should have been a better film."
The faux film, stars Marilyn Hack (Catherine O'Hara), an aging actress leading lady who's never really made it big. For what ever reason, she's never been in a film worthy of an acknowledgement of her acting talents. She's the matriarch of a family whose children, played by Brian Chubb (Christopher Moynihan) and Callie Webb (Parker Posey) are coming home to celebrate Purim, an important Jewish holiday celebrating Queen Ester's rescuing of her people from slaughter at the hands of an evil servant of a King [note: the story was featured in the film One Night with the King]. Her husband is played by a similarly infamous actor, Victor Alan Miller (Harry Shearer), best known for his role as a giant hot dog on hot dog commercials. As the filming of the faux film progresses, internet buzz begins to circulate that this could be Marilyn's first shot at an Academy Award®. Once the entertainment reporters catch wind of this buzz, it gets back to everyone that Home for Purim might even be up for awards itself, not just the actors. This creates anxiety as well as joy for everyone involved.
Obviously, playing the dual roles of an actor and an actor playing an actor for all of the cast members who are in both films is a great challenge for the actors themselves. This cast, chock full of delightful cameos and some actors we've not seen on the screen in a long time in a major way, was absolutely perfect. Eugene Levy plays Morley Orfkin the scheistery talent agent for Victor Allan Miller with a snide touch of smarminess that's hilarious. Jennifer Coolidge, enjoying her own renaissance after her role as the the 'hot' mother from American Pie, also delivers a wonderfully air-headed widow film producer, Whitney Taylor Brown. Meanwhile Fred Willard and Jane Lynch play faux television entertainment show co-hosts Chuck Porter and Cindy Martin. Together this duo does everything you've ever wanted to see about the underbelly of the beast. Most hilarious are Chuck's interviews with the losers in the nomination announcements for the Academy Awards®. With some great roles to play and a scathing story of Hollywood executives run amok, it was proper to have high expectations for the film. Unfortunately, two things go wrong with the film. First, as mentioned, there are too many insider-only jokes and situations that simply don't resonate well with the regular film-going audience. Second, while some of the characters are good fun and hilarious, many are equally dull and lack-luster. The story within the story is also not overly enchanting. It's difficult to see how buzz could emerge over this film or anyone in it. That lack of realism, maybe for done for the humorous effect, detracted from the potential of the film overall. Had it been a really good film within the film or, at least, the idea of a good film, it outer movie might have had more impact. Otherwise we just see egos running wild all over the place and end with an attitude of "you get what you deserve". With all of the talent on and off the screen, this really should have been a better film.
Obviously, playing the dual roles of an actor and an actor playing an actor for all of the cast members who are in both films is a great challenge for the actors themselves. This cast, chock full of delightful cameos and some actors we've not seen on the screen in a long time in a major way, was absolutely perfect. Eugene Levy plays Morley Orfkin the scheistery talent agent for Victor Allan Miller with a snide touch of smarminess that's hilarious. Jennifer Coolidge, enjoying her own renaissance after her role as the the 'hot' mother from American Pie, also delivers a wonderfully air-headed widow film producer, Whitney Taylor Brown. Meanwhile Fred Willard and Jane Lynch play faux television entertainment show co-hosts Chuck Porter and Cindy Martin. Together this duo does everything you've ever wanted to see about the underbelly of the beast. Most hilarious are Chuck's interviews with the losers in the nomination announcements for the Academy Awards®. With some great roles to play and a scathing story of Hollywood executives run amok, it was proper to have high expectations for the film. Unfortunately, two things go wrong with the film. First, as mentioned, there are too many insider-only jokes and situations that simply don't resonate well with the regular film-going audience. Second, while some of the characters are good fun and hilarious, many are equally dull and lack-luster. The story within the story is also not overly enchanting. It's difficult to see how buzz could emerge over this film or anyone in it. That lack of realism, maybe for done for the humorous effect, detracted from the potential of the film overall. Had it been a really good film within the film or, at least, the idea of a good film, it outer movie might have had more impact. Otherwise we just see egos running wild all over the place and end with an attitude of "you get what you deserve". With all of the talent on and off the screen, this really should have been a better film.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Other Projects Featuring For Your Consideration (2006)
Cast Members
Catherine O'Hara
• Ed Begley, Jr.• Eugene LevyHarry Shearer
• Christopher Moynihan• Christopher GuestJohn Michael Higgins
• Carrie Aizley• Jim PiddockJennifer Coolidge
• Parker Posey• Rachael HarrisBob Balaban
• Fred Willard• Jane LynchDirector
Christopher Guest
Co-Writer
Eugene Levy
| DVD | VHS | DVD Set |
For Your Consideration (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Writer / Director Christopher Guest of Best in Show fame takes an insider's look at Hollywood's film industry with For Your Consideration about the making of a faux film called Home For Purim but changed to Home for Thanksgiving by studio execs to give it wider appeal. It was the succumbing of the faux director and writers to the change of title that converted the potential for the film to be great into a sad statement of corporate Hollywood. It also was the turning point where the movie flipped from being somewhat entertaining to nearly intolerable. Despite great cameo performances by Eugene Levy, Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Willard, and Jane Lynch, the film otherwise turns into an egos-run-wild affair creating a sense of "you get what you deserve" attitude rather than the scathing satire everyone deserved. Given the talent on and off the screen, this should have been a better film.
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