--- title: "Best in Show: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/best-in-show/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/best-in-show" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Best in Show (2000): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 12 reviews: 11 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 March 2001. The dog-show mockumentary is a little gem of a comedy structured around real laughs and gags, using talking-head interviews and pseudo-vérité footage to follow the Mayflower Dog Show competitors and their pooches. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/mar/09/1) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2000. The critic finds the mockumentary frequently sidesplitting, with neurotic human owners outshining their dogs and fresh takes on familiar gags. Specific praise goes to the ensemble's improvisational skill, the comic costumes and sets, and standout bits from the TV commentators. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/best-in-show-review-movie-christopher-guest-2000-1236494687/) ## The New York Times — Stephen Holden Rating Critic's Pick. 27 September 2000. The critic finds the film every bit as funny as Guest's previous mockumentary Waiting for Guffman, praising its clever improvisational caricatures of dog owners and their neuroses. The yuppie couple and the milquetoast husband with his hot-blooded wife are singled out for their hilarious scenes. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/27/movies/film-review-dog-owner-eat-dog-owner-kind-of-world.html) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2000. The review calls the film an unbridled success that recycles the mockumentary formula effectively for affectionate caricature of dog-show obsessives. It singles out the cast's warmth in making stereotypes inclusive and Fred Willard's hilarious announcer turn as a highlight. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/best-in-show-1798192494) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. Best In Show is a worthy addition to canine movies that forensically lays bare the foibles of human owners rather than mocking the dogs, with owners spiraling out of control in obsessions while their pets look on. Guest's improvised mockumentary style captures fresh, real-time conversations and ultimately evokes compassion for the characters. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/best-in-show-6304455.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2000. The critic calls the film a low-key but sharp and amusing mockumentary whose humor fits the frenetic world of dog shows, noting it has both bark and bite despite being more hit-or-miss than Guest's prior work. The irrepressibly buffoonish play-by-play announcer is singled out as the standout element. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-27-ca-27257-story.html) ## Slant Magazine — Budd Wilkins Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2013. The critic finds Best in Show one of Christopher Guest's strongest mockumentaries thanks to its effective ensemble humor and character work, though it relies on broad caricature at times. Particular praise goes to the psychologically nuanced portrayal of the yuppie couple Meg and Hamilton Swan. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/best-in-show/) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The film explores how pets resemble their owners through a mockumentary following contestants at a dog show, blending observation and interviews in a style reminiscent of Spinal Tap but with gentler gags. It excels in caricaturing social archetypes and features standout comic turns, particularly from Fred Willard. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/best-in-show) ## Variety — Eddie Cockrell Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2000. Festival review. The critic describes the film as barkingly funny, praising how it walks a fine line between cruelty and affection in showcasing improvisations on American types and their neuroses. The only cavil noted is a predictable rhythmic rut in the structure of the segments. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/best-in-show-4-1200464360/) ## Empire — Caroline Westbrook Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The film is watchable and more intelligent than many recent comedies but lacks the imagination, edge and memorable moments of Guest's earlier mockumentaries, making it hit and miss overall. It offers gentle satirical wit on absurd characters at a dog show but suffers from déjà vu and one-dimensional stereotypes. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/best-show-review/) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood Rating A. 27 April 2013. The critic calls it a delightfully hilarious comedy classic with a sincere edge that keeps the ridiculous characters from becoming too cynical. They single out the strong ensemble cast's improv work and the film's satirical look at relationships and early-2000s consumer culture. [Read the review](https://collider.com/best-in-show-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 March 2001. The critic praises the film's character-driven American satire and the fresh, improvised humour from its ensemble cast. The mockumentary style is highlighted as a vibrant example of screen comedy beyond mainstream fare. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/best-in-show-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md