For Your Consideration 2006

     The plot is that several no-name actors are making a low-budget period drama titled Home for Purim.  An anonymous post on the internet states that one performance is Oscar worthy!!  Then, two more cast members get Oscar related press in Variety.  Cast appearances on television prompt the studio executives to insist on changes to the script.  They are anticipating a blockbuster!!  Then, just a few days before Oscar nominees are announced just the possibility of a nomination changes the lives of the actors!!  Agents, publicists, make-up artists, local celebrity reporters and other players with bit roles round out a backstage ensemble. 
     This film is actually a mockumentary and it is aimed more at adults than kids.  Teens who have seen Best in Show may want to see this film.  There are satirical references to same-sex relationships, prostitutes, ethnic jokes and conceited people only thing about themselves.  They just appear to be thinking of everyone else.  It does show Hollywood with the bottom line more important than people.  Some may miss the included subtler digs and spoofs.  There are many very hilarious scenes in this film.  5* (I really liked this movie)

86 min, Comedy directed, written by Christopher Guest and written by Eugene Levy with Catherine O’Hara, Harry Shearer, Park Posey, Stephen Rannazzisi, Ed Begley Jr., Christopher Moynihan, John Michael HIggins, Carrie Aizley, Stephanie Courtney, Suzy Nakamura, Jim Piddock, Jane Morris, Jennifer Coolidge, Jordan Black.

Note:  Imdb 6.3 out of 10 with 13,328 reviews, Roger Ebert 3 1/2* Jim Emerson, Rotten Tomatoes 52% critic with 161 critics 43% audience with 19,784 ratings, Metacritic 68 out of 100 with 33 critics (24 positive, 8 mixed, 1 negative) 6.1 out of 10 (positive 26, mixed 20, negative 6), RollingStone 3 1/2* out of 4* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media Jane Boursaw, age 13+, 3* language, 3* drinking, drugs, smoking.

Special Note:  Filmed at Culver Studios, 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California.  Catherine O’Hara maintained a stretched face during takes without additional aids or makeup to appear as if she had a face lift.  Director Guest uses a script with very few details.  He writes an outline so the actors know what needs to happen.  He does a maximum of two or three takes without any rehearsals.  Purim is a Jewish festival celebrating the victory over the attempted genocide described in the book of Esther.  It is a less important observance on the Jewish calendar than Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Passover.  In reality, Catherine O’Hara received a large amount of Oscar buzz for her performance.  She was nominated for and won several precursor awards.  Many experts predicted she would actually receive an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress!!  The actual nominees in 2006 were Rachel Weisz, Amy Adams, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Michelle Williams.  Rachel Weisz was the winner for The Constant Gardener.

Added Note:  Director Christopher Guest married actress Jamie Lee Curtis in 1984.  They have two adopted children, Anne born in 1986 and Thomas born in 1996.  Guest has the title 5th Baron Haden-Guest of Great Salin in the Country of Essex.  He holds dual British and American citizenship.  Because his children are adopted, they cannot the family barony under the terms of the letter patent that created it.  They can use courtesy titles and the current heir presumptive is Guest’s younger brother actor Nicholas Guest.