Watch For Your Consideration

The satirical comedy film, For Your Consideration, released in 2006, directed by Christopher Guest, is a clever take on the Hollywood film industry. The movie captures the essence of the entertainment industry’s award season and its detrimental effects on actors, writers, directors, and producers, who are obsessed with recognition and validation.

The movie follows the making of a low-budget independent film, Home for Purim, a family drama set in the South, which takes a crazy, unexpected turn during the shooting of the movie. A rumor spreads in the media that the movie has Oscar buzz, catapulting the nervous cast and crew into a frenzy of excitement and expectations, each hoping for their shot at an Academy Award. The local news reports on the film's Oscar buzz, igniting a series of public relations stunts and media appearances, which sends the minds of the actors and filmmakers spinning with the possibility of a win.

Catherine O'Hara stars as Marilyn Hack, a seasoned actress who plays one of the leads in the movie, who is desperate for recognition after years of playing supporting roles. The pressure of the looming Oscars ceremony begins to affect her behavior, leading to an array of hilarious meltdowns and sudden outbursts. Harry Shearer plays Victor Allan Miller, a veteran actor, and Marilyn's co-star, who assumes he's going to be overlooked because of his age. Parker Posey plays Callie Webb, an up-and-coming actress who's a narcissistic and haughty diva, convinced that she's the breakthrough star of the movie.

The movie highlights the absurdity of the film industry, from the overtly dramatic movie sets to the countless red carpet events, and the endless auditions, casting calls, and meetings that actors face. The culture of the industry produces countless anxious, self-doubting, and neurotic celebrities who are desperate for validation and attention.

For Your Consideration also pokes fun at the media's role in creating and controlling celebrities, with the news stations reporting on any story that generates high ratings or sells newspapers. The coverage on the success of the fictionalized movie becomes increasingly desperate as the Oscars deadline approaches, throwing the characters' lives into chaos.

The film features an ensemble cast of actors from Christopher Guest's previous movies, such as Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, and Ed Begley Jr., who bring an authentic touch to their roles. Guest has a knack for assembling a cast of eccentric characters who are often exaggerated versions of real-life people, and For Your Consideration is no different.

The film is shot in a mockumentary style, a style of documentary with a satirical tone that thrives on exaggerating the quirks of its subjects for comedic effect. It's a format that Christopher Guest and his team have become well-known for, having previously directed classics like Best in Show and This Is Spinal Tap. The mockumentary style suits the subject matter of the film perfectly, allowing us to see behind the facade of the entertainment industry and laugh at its absurdities.

Despite its comedic tone, For Your Consideration still allows its characters moments of genuine emotion. There's a touching relationship between Marilyn and her makeup artist (played by Eugene Levy), who is secretly in love with her. The film also tackles issues of ageism and sexism in the industry, illustrating how women and older actors are often disregarded when it comes to getting parts or winning awards.

In conclusion, For Your Consideration is a witty and poignant comedy film that hits its targets with expert precision. The movie critiques the absurdities of the entertainment industry with razor-sharp accuracy and embodies the irony of Hollywood’s obsession with recognition versus artistic integrity. It’s a film that can be enjoyed by anyone, from those who are familiar with the industry's inner workings to those who just appreciate a good comedy.

For Your Consideration is a 2006 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 68.