Best in Show
Film and science have a long history. Some of the earliest movies were of medical operations (an early form of exploitation film that would make the rounds on the carnival circuit). And then, of course, there’s science fiction.
Given this, the new screening series at the TIFF Lightbox, succinctly named Science on Film, seems entirely logical. Where things get slightly unexpected is TIFF’s choice to start the series with Best in Show. Not to complain. Christopher Guest’s 2000 mockumentary holds up as a hilarious examination of the most deranged of all species, humans. Set in the world of dog shows, Guest’s film weaves together the stories of several competitors, ranging from neurotics, to upper class twits, to Jane Lynch being, well, Jane Lynch. So what exactly is the science in this film, you ask? Animal behaviour. Dr. Pamela Reid—whom the press materials call “an internationally-renowned animal behaviourist”—will address “animal learning” in the film in an onstage Q&A, hosted by Jay Ingram (of the Discovery Channel).
Though it seems slightly bizarre to focus on the canines in this film when the crux is the ineptness and (sometimes) misplaced love of the human players, there is that one part where Meg Swan (Parker Posey) talks about meeting her husband at Starbucks and finding his grande espresso “sexy” that’s kind of animalistic.