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.
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.
Enjoyed this? Help Standard Issue keep going by joining our gang. Click here to find out how.
6183 ViewsAged five, Mickey Noonan shoved an apple pip up her nose to see what happened. Older, wiser but sadly without a nose-tree, Standard Issue's editor remains curious about the world. Likes running, jumping and static trapeze.
Copyright 2016 Standard Issue | All Rights Reserved | Designed and Developed by Bring Digital.