The fake documentary, or mockumentary, is something I could talk about, or not talk about for hours. And still, I’d find things to not talk about.
How I’d love to claim that joke, but it’s spoken by Sheri Ann Ward Cabot, a character in the brilliant mockumentary, Best in Show (2000). A comedy about the Mayflower dog show, and the fanatical, but hysterical characters that pamper their dogs in pursuit of a blue ribbon.
How I’d love to claim that joke, but it’s spoken by Sheri Ann Ward Cabot, a character in the brilliant mockumentary, Best in Show (2000). A comedy about the Mayflower dog show, and the fanatical, but hysterical characters that pamper their dogs in pursuit of a blue ribbon.
Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Jennifer Coolidge, are just a handful who star as dog owners who bring new meaning to the words eccentric and witty. The cast is exceptional, and although they’re all outrageous, the semblance of reality is never far off. The movie is so successful at breeding laughter from seemingly commonplace occurrences that you’ll come to find yourself saying, “I know someone like that” or at least you'll think you do.
Whether I’m talking about Corky St. Clair, Nigel Tufnel, Harlan Pepper, Alan Barrows, or the modern father of the mockumentary (I thought I‘d exaggerate a bit to keep with the style of the genre), I’m talking about one funny man: Christopher Guest.
His first big induction into the genre was in Marty DiBergi’s (aka Rob Reiner’s) rockumentary This is Spinal Tap (1984). For any music fan, this is a must see. Picture every stereotype, every unconventional act, and every nuance of the big haired, spandex wearing, heavy metal band culture of the 1980’s, and therein lies the endless comedic foundation of this film.
Guest plays Nigel Tufnel, one of the band’s leading members who is torn by the lead singer’s girlfriend, and the declining popularity of the group. The information and critical comment that this, seemingly ditsy, film provides is both inspiring and memorable. It’s a challenge, but try not to quote something from the film after watching it, I dare you.
Later in his career, Guest turned to directing and starring in his own mockumentaries starting in 1996 with Waiting for Guffman. His flamboyant Corky St. Clair, decides to direct a pageant for the 150th anniversary of the small Missouri town of Blaine. The cast established in this film transcended into his future films, Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003), a mockumentary about the folk music scene.
In my experience, people either seem to love these films or hate them, however the tide seems to be changing with this style becoming more mainstream. In many ways the genre is like a scripted blooper reel, which often makes you feel like you're in on the joke in that moment and not necessarily being played to. You’ll quickly find out for yourself if you like them, and chances are if you‘re watching with someone who doesn‘t, the experience will be ruined.
Documentaries have gotten a bad reputation for being boring, or too dry, which in itself is a huge myth. But, if you’re having your doubts about watching a comedy posing as a documentary, don’t.
Christopher Guest’s films aren’t out to trick you, they’re out to entertain and make you laugh. See Spinal Tap or Best in Show if you want to get your first taste of this genre and style, because if you’re going to become a believer in the mockumentary, these are the films that are going to do it. And, if you’re already hooked, I'm glad you're in the club!
I feel there is nothing more I can say to get you to see these films, for I think Spinal Tap summed up the mockumentary genre best when they mused, “there’s such a fine line between stupid and clever”.
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