For Your Consideration

"I love that you did all this work, and it'll serve you well - but not on this movie."

No one expected much from the independent film (and cast of) "Home for Purim." The story focuses on the reunion of a Jewish family during the holiday of Purim in the 1940s. The stars of the film, Marilyn Hack (O'Hara), as the dying mother, and Victor Allan Miller (Shearer), the worried father, haven't worked for years. Most people, including the studio security guard, don't recognize Marilyn, while Victor is well-known for his hot dog commercials (dressed as a giant hot dog). Their children are played by unknowns who are dating: Brian Chubb (Moynihan) is the Navy son on leave, and Callie Webb (Posey) is the daughter who returns with a secret.

Internet buzz (by a single blogger) suggests a potential Oscar nomination. This buzz catches the attention of the local entertainment show, hosted by the obnoxious Chuck (Willard) and Cindy (Lynch), and infects the cast with awards fever. All the buzz causes changes in the script (because it's "too Jewish"), despite protests of the writers (Balaban and McKean) who watch as the director (Guest) and cast throw out their words and embrace improv. Adding to the chaos is Victor's distracted agent Morley (Levy), the socially awkward PR man Corey (Higgins), and the clueless producer Whitney (Coolidge). As the film wraps and awards season looms, will anyone survive?


Unlike Guest's previous films (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind), this was not a documentary style film. The cast and some of the crew were interviewed, but the audience doesn't hear the inner crazy of the characters. There is some disconnect with the characters, some of which are unlikable. There are some big laughs and some crazy characters, but it isn't up to the same level as other Guest films. Funny, but not enough.

--: funnier than many other films...

For Your Consideration (2006) 86 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for sexual references and brief language
Director: Christopher Guest
Starring: Catherine O'Hara as Marilyn Hack
Harry Shearer as Victor Allan Miller
Parker Posey as Callie Webb
Christopher Moynihan as Brian Chubb
Eugene Levy as Morley Orfkin
Christopher Guest as Jay Berman
John Michael Higgins as Corey Taft
Jennifer Coolidge as Whitney Taylor Brown
Fred Willar as Chuck
Jane Lynch as Cindy
Bob Balaban as Philip Koontz
Michael McKean as Lane Iverson