The Skilled Craftsman: Waiting for Guffman

A surgeon wields the tools he has with exact precision to achieve a desired outcome; Similarly, Christopher Guest, a film director best known for This is Spinal Tap, used immense skill as he carefully crafted a unique, funny, and endearing film in Waiting for Guffman. Guest, using a style that would later influence many directors, produced a film that would popularize the documentary comedy style. In the film, we are introduced to an array of characters from Blaine, Missouri. These characters perform a play in their small town in hopes of receiving critical praise from Mr. Guffman, a well known Broadway critic. Praise from this critic, they believe, will take them to Broadway, and their dreams of making it big in the theater world will be fulfilled.

After the film, we in the audience were treated to a discussion on Waiting for Guffman by a film critic and Sam Mendes. (Director of acclaimed films such as American Beauty, Skyfall, Road to Perdition, etc.) Their discussion highlighted how much of a master Guest was in crafting his films. I had to find out more on his style and approach to film-making.

I dove deeper into his methodologies for making his films, and I discovered a true genius style that wholly separates Guest as one of the best directors when it comes to comedic films.

Although Guest carefully constructed every detail in each shot of his film, most—if not all—of the scenes have a spontaneity to them that is an essential characteristic to the film. This feeling of spontaneity is one of the reasons Waiting for Guffman works so well as a comedic punch. Guest is able to achieve this idiosyncratic feeling throughout his film by using an improvisational method of film-making. The director elaborates more on his style in his interview with Charlie Rose. In the interview, one of the most fascinating things mentioned was that no dialogue was written for this film. Let me repeat: no dialogue was written. This is astounding to hear at first, but once you watch the film, it all makes sense. All of the scenes feel natural and free-flowing. Christopher Guest states that one of the reasons this style works is because "the things being said are being said for the first time."

One of the aspects of the director to note is how reserved Guest comes off in his interviews. There is a stark contrast between the man and the actor. For me, one thing that becomes clear is that he channels his comedic prowess only through his films. And he channels a lot of it. Again, this is unique to a man in comedy. Normally, we would see funny on the screen and off. This speaks to the many levels that Guest is working on, and how he is able to approach specific modes in different instances.

Christopher Guest is a man of great film-making ability; I can't wait to see his next masterpiece.

Also, I just had to include the last musical number in the film; it's too good to leave out. Here it is, everyone. Enjoy!