Laughing with or laughing at?

Sadly, there are people that deluded in this world (just watch American Idol) who think they have what it takes to act or sing, but they just don't - and shouldn't.

Tell your friend that Guest is not a snob - he is just reflecting an interesting segment of society. He's not mocking them - in fact I believe he has created some very sympathetic (albiet flawed) characters that do the best they can with their limited abilities. You can't deny their passion either.

I love this movie - and I think anyone in the performing arts arena appreciate it for what it is - a very keen and humerous (satirical) observation on small-town life.


Sola Scriptura/Sola Gratia/Sola Fide/Solus Christus

I do think he mocks the people in the movie who deserve it, like Ron & Corky. The more I watch the movie, the more I dislike Ron, he's such a blowhard and cannot stand for someone else to be the center of attention (notice his little digs at Dr. Perl). But I think as ridiculous as Sheila and Libby are, they're sympathetic--you actually feel bad at the end of the movie with Libby's last monologue where she's right back at the DQ. And Dr. Perl comes off pretty well. And Lloyd comes off pretty well also, he clearly has such (hilarious) integrity, I *love* his conducting during the show!

Eh, he took it out on Hollywood as well.

I think there's been a rape up there!

Even though - based on the plot - I did expect the characters in C. Guest's movies (to be created in such a way as) to be laughed at, this doesn't happen at all. I think that the movies are so well done that the characters come out as sympathetic and amusing.

Since Guest hates the term mockumentary when referring to his movies I think not, at least I don't think that is his motivation. I think he likes taking situations and placing these people who are not self-aware in them and seeing what happens. Sort of like a Sims game or science experiment with funny results. That's the whole point of improv the actors write their own lines with just a basic story outline. He also takes aim at Hollywood, the Music industry and NPR, liberal bastions, so it's not just middle America.

I know let's make the movie about another holiday say Easter. It can be all about the bunny.

Of course it's mockery. But mockery to such an extreme that it really does not represent the true nature of amateur theater. If it did, it would be REALLY offensive.

But it is mockery. As is "Mighty Wind," and the others. All mocking. And yes, he thinks he's superior, otherwise, what's to mock?

I recently went to a lecture where the lecturer's main theme was that people spend so much time entertaining themselves (tv, movies, xBox, etc.) that they don't contribute much to the arts. He pointed to the lack of excellent writers compared earlier times. A man in the audience became upset and interrupted, saying that our little art colony (small town of 10,000) had a huge number of very talented writers.

Is my little tourist town truly the world center of prose and poetry? Maybe it's just pretty good for a small town.


I think this movie is about everyone who was in a really good community theater production, wrote a meaningful poem, had a long philosophical talk with another 20 year old.


People with very limited experience might think that was the best cheese and gravy covered fries EVER! It's up to them to decide if they should only eat cheese and gravy fries for the rest of their lives, or maybe go seek other experiences.

He is a snob (after all, he's a "Baron") and he is sneering at rural small town Middle America. I suspect he's an a--h--e in real life, but his movies are usually entertaining.

This one was not particularly good, though.