A Mighty Wind (2003)

Christopher Guest has directed four films: Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. He also co-wrote Rob Reiner's brilliant This is Spinal Tap. These films all have a similar style (they are ridiculous mockumentaries) and each one lives up to its predecessors. Guest has a style of subtle humor that is completely unmatched. He has a way of keeping all of his comedy completely reined in and nuanced while, at the same time, making people laugh so hard they fall out of their chairs. Each of these films is a comedic gem.

I don't really know a better way to critique a Guest film. What I've just written is essentially it. If you've seen his films, you will recognize his humor, although you may find it difficult to describe, as I do. But you will know that his films make you feel joyful, whether you are laughing at the characters or with them.

And I guess that's what I want to discuss here. It has been noted (by me as well as many others, both critics and friends of mine) that A Mighty Wind does considerably more "laughing with" than Guest's other films, which do a bit more "laughing at." This seems to be the most noticeable difference, one that makes this film stand out just a bit. Some have said it hurts the film, that in Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, Guest was a little more ferocious in making fun of his characters, while in A Mighty Wind he made them a little too relateable. Others see this as a positive aspect that makes this movie a little bit better than his others. I wonder if maybe your opinion on the matter says something about you as a person.

Of course, these differences in tone are subtle, but I do recognize that they exist. I'm not sure how I feel. I'm not ready to claim that the kindness in A Mighty Wind makes it a greater or lesser film than Guest's other works. Maybe it's a coward's way out, but, darn it, I love them all.

Anyway, if you haven't seen these films, you'll want to skip ahead to this paragraph. A Mighty Wind is about the organization of a folk concert featuring fictitious folk groups that were popular in the 60s and are now reunited. It's hilarious.

If anybody has any thoughts on which Guest film is best, let me know. I'm interested to hear your opinions.