Gerry Fleck: Eugene Levy	Cookie Fleck: Catherine O'Hara
Harlan Pepper: Christopher Guest	Meg Swan: Parker Posey
Hamilton Swan: Michael Hitchcock	Christy: Jane Lynch
Stefan: Michael McKean	Scott: John Michael Higgins
Buck: Fred Willard	Sherri Ann: Jennifer Coolidge
Max: Larry Miller	Director: Christopher Guest

30 Second Bottom Line: Passionate dog lovers from different walks of life compete in a national dog show. It's not so much about the dogs, but rather the people who take the dogs to the show.

Story Line: Best In Show is a sort of self-contained trilogy. First you explore the backgrounds of the eccentric owners and handlers who will be taking their dogs to the national competition. Second, the actual competition, which focuses more on the dogs, but we get a look at how the owners react during the show. Who's pulling whose chain? Last, there is a follow up on the lives of the people six months after the show.

Gerry and Cookie Fleck (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) set the tone for what is a very funny movie. Cookie is a former playgirl…she had a lot of boyfriends before she settled down with Gerry and their dog. Gerry is the dork of all dorks with literally two left feet. On the drive to Philadelphia for the dog show, Cookie insists that they make a hundred-mile out of the way stop to say hello to an old boyfriend and his wife. While everyone else either shakes hands or exchanges a hug, Cookie and Max (Larry Miller) say hello with a passionate kiss. Gerry is nervous about the purpose of the visit especially when Max tells him that Cookie was known for being able to wrap her legs around her neck. Old boyfriends recognize cookie on several occasions throughout the movie and each time it's worth a big laugh.

Hamilton and & Meg Swan (Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey) spend time with a shrink because their dog is depressed after seeing them making love doggy style. This couple is so out there that they make the other loony dog owners look introverted by comparison.

Then there are Sherri Ann (Jennifer Coolidge) and her dog trainer Christy (Jane Lynch). Sherri is married to Father Time and whenever she is on the screen she's a hoot. Sometimes she talks about her relationship with her husband (their mutual love of soup and silence), other times she reveals her passion for her dog and her budding relationship with Christy. Sherri and Christy are certain their beautiful standard poodle will win Best in Show for the third consecutive year. There are seven classifications of dogs. First you must win in your group and then the competition is held among those seven with the winner being Best In Show.

Stefan and Scott (Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins) are a gay couple who have a great time showing their dog and enjoying each other. Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest) is a down home outdoor- type who has a wonderful one on one relationship with his bloodhound, who he swears talks to him. The "color commentator" at the show is Buck (Fred Willard), who has a running commentary on everything he observes.

These characters and their dogs win in their respective divisions and go on to compete for the championship. Each person learns from the experience and moves on in their lives to do things they may not have done if they never had a passion for dogs or entered the show.

Tell Me More About It: The casting in the film is magnificent, as almost every character becomes more interesting as the story progresses. The characters are well drawn where caricature could have taken over. The one exception is Buck because his routine is just that, the same old thing basically over and over and it got a little tired rather quickly. This mockumentary is shot very much like a documentary and other than the people being a little over the top with their eccentric actions, it seems to be real. I know a lot of people who are far out so these folks are not that much of a stretch. I do not accept the ongoing antics of the commentator, because this aloof audience would not tolerate him. Buck was trying to be funny while the other characters were funny just being themselves.

Director Christopher Guest knows how to take a real life subject, put a fictional twist on it and make it laugh out loud funny. If you have a dog at home, for sure you will enjoy this movie. If you don't, you might decide to go buy one.

Christopher Guest: A Few Good Men	Parker Posey: You've Got Mail
Michael Hitchcock: Waiting For Guffman	Eugene Levy: American Pie
Catherine O'Hara: Home Alone	John Michael Higgins: Bicente nnial Man
Michael McKean: Mystery, Alaska	Jennifer Coolidge: American Pie
Fred Willard: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me	Larry Miller: Runaway Bride
Jane Lynch: Fugitive, The