Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) are a jolly gay couple who have been partners for years. Both are hairdressers, and they live in the trendy Tribeca district of New York City with their Shih Tzu. Even though they will be in Philadelphia for only 48 hours, the flamboyant Scott packs eight kimonos for the trip.
Leslie and Sheri Ann Cabot (Patrick Cranshaw and Jennifer Coolidge), who live in a Philadelphia mansion, are the wealthy owners of a standard poodle named Rhapsody in White. Leslie is a doddering old man who never speaks in the movie, and the voluptuous Sheri Ann is his much younger wife. The Cabots have hired a lesbian named Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) to handle their poodle. When Scott sees Christy on television, he remarks, "She looks like a cocktail waitress on an oil rig." Later, he sees Christy and Sheri Ann sharing a passionate kiss and says, "Rhapsody has two mommies." But funny as the dog owners are, funnier yet is Fred Willard in the role of TV color man Buck Laughlin, who gives an inane running commentary on the proceedings at the show.
Best in Show is very lightweight, of course. It doesn't have much of a plot, and I don't think it offers any deep insights. But if Christopher Guest’s brand of humor is your cup of tea, I highly recommend this movie.
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