20 Underrated Movies From 2000 You've Probably Never Seen

Released: 20th October 2000 (US)

Perpetually overshadowed by the comedy classic that is This Is Spinal Tap, whose reputation dwarfs the public stature of his other work like the real Stonehenge to a miniature stage prop replica, there are a whole host of other improvised ensemble mockumentaries from writer-performer-director Christopher Guest.

They might not have the universal popularity and endlessly referenced dialogue of Spinal Tap, but each of Waiting For Guffman (set in the world of community theatre), A Mighty Wind (folk music) and For Your Consideration (awards season) are finely crafted gems in their own ways. This 2000 dog show comedy, though, is appropriately the best of the bunch.

There is something inherently ridiculous about dog shows and Guest taps into the comedy of people who invest so much (financially and emotionally) in their canine companion winning someone else's approval.

As a variety of oddballs in which dogs and their owners have come to resemble one another, Guest's regular collaborators give an array of fun performances, including Guest himself as a fisherman-ventriloquist. It is Fred Willard, though, who steals the show as the oblivious commentator who seems to just say whatever comes into his head.