The arrival of new film Mascots on Netflix today gives Mickey Noonan an excuse to turn her love of the genius behind Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind up to 11.
Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel: his appeal is definitely not becoming more selective.
When it comes to getting an audience to root for the underdog, you’d be hard-pressed to beat the work of Christopher Guest. His focus has rested on am-dram players (Waiting For Guffman, 1996) dog exhibitors (Best in Show, 2000), folk singers (A Mighty Wind, 2003), would-be award-winning actors (For Your Consideration, 2006), and now in Mascots, the people behind – or rather, inside – the furry costumes at sportsing events.
I mean, I could blather on about the wry wit and undisguised affection with which he treats his subjects, but it’s probably best to let Guest (and his long-time cinematic associates) speak for himself.
This is Spinal Tap
The biggest Noonan soft spot goes to gormless but gorgeous (pipe down!) guitarist Nigel Tufnel. Demonstrating great restraint, I have narrowed it down to three Tufnel gems.
Of course:
“This miniature bread… I’ve been working with this for about half an hour and I can’t figure it out.”
D minor: the saddest of all keys:
Waiting for Guffman
Corky’s outrage leading to teeth marks in the soft furnishing:
Fred Willard AND Catherine O’Hara, oh my:
Best in Show
Harlan Pepper lists nuts:
But Fred Willard’s Buck Laughlin steals the Best in Show best in show:
A Mighty Wind
Eugene Levy’s out-of-kilter-with-the-rest-of-the-world Mitch steals every scene he’s in. Those eyes, man; he’s seen shit:
John Michael Higgins and (the fucking brilliant) Jane Lynch as Terry and Laurie Bohner:
OK, truth time: I’m not a fan of For Your Consideration, so instead I give you… The Princess Bride.
“Stop saying that!”
So there y’go. Feel free to tweet me with your favourites/gold I’ve missed.
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