MovieChat Forums > Waiting for Guffman (1997) Discussion > Music Director

Music Director

posted 12 years ago by kamikazeheart
4 replies | jump to latest

So I've watched this movie like 5 times now and its still just as funny. One thing I just picked up on though is how much the town praises Corky and then bashes the Music Director. Then during the performance everything that is happening on stage is a disaster (bad acting, bad dancing, bad lines, bad make-up) which was all Corky's call. On the contrary, the songs being played by the "orchestra" for the dance numbers and overture are very well thought out and catchy. That little Music Director did a lot with what little he had to work with (if you notice most of the people are playing several different instruments to "fill out" the music), and I feel that his music carried the entire show. Just something I noticed this last time I watched, anyone else agree?

Its similar to how the taxidermy guy that lives out in a trailer home ends up being the best actor out of the group.

[–] wainot 12 years ago

Good points, Kamikaze. I also wonder if the music was just a little too professional.

The tension between Corky and Lloyd was one of many great features of this film, and Balaban did a ton with a small role.

[–] smeth 11 years ago

I think Guest had to make choices about the tone of the film. The irony of Corky being considered a genius while the music director is treated like some backstage hack. Also, they had to make the final production of Red White and Blaine watchable enough that we the audience didn't hate it. If the play had just been a series of disasters and painful music, it wouldn't have highlighted the acting "abilities" of the characters. Same for the taxidermy guy. With one of the actors being good, the rest look worse by comparison. Not to mention that the taxidermy guy is one of the least likely characters to do a decent job.

[–] trickg1 9 years ago

YES! To me, this is one more of the many jokes hidden in plain sight. The actors on stage are a disaster, but the pit orchestra is amazing. ☺

Another little gem is the fact that the best actor on stage out of the entire production is the old guy they pulled in to be the narrator.

Yet another funny detail, and one that I just noticed this last time, is that not one of Libby's/Parker Posey's stage costumes fit properly. The one dress is big enough for two of her to fit in.

My name is Gladiator - Maximus Decimus Meridius

[–] myndchanger 9 years ago

I think part of the joke was that Lloyd Miller was so good that he found people who could play multiple instruments and turned them into a band. The real genius in the movie.