For Your Consideration Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of actors making a movie about a Jewish family in the South get way too excited about the possibility of winning fake awards, proving that Hollywood is basically high school with better snacks.

🍿 For Your Consideration: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Making of ‘Home for Purim’

The film follows the production of a low-budget independent film titled ‘Home for Purim’, a period drama set in the American South during the 1940s. The movie centers around a Jewish family and explores themes of family conflict and societal prejudice. The actors, largely unknown and past their prime, are initially dismissive of its potential.

Oscar Buzz Begins

An anonymous post on the internet sparks rumors that Marilyn Hack, the lead actress in ‘Home for Purim,’ is giving an Oscar-worthy performance. This sets off a chain reaction, turning the film’s production and the actors’ lives upside down. Agents, publicists, and studio executives suddenly take interest, leading to a surge of media attention.

Chasing the Nomination

As the Oscar buzz intensifies, the actors succumb to the pressures of awards season. Marilyn undergoes cosmetic procedures, while other cast members scramble for publicity and try to reinvent themselves to appeal to voters. The film itself is drastically altered by studio executives to broaden its appeal, culminating in a name change to ‘Home for Thanksgiving’.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Marilyn Hack (Catherine O’Hara): A veteran actress who experiences a surge of Oscar buzz for her role in ‘Home for Purim,’ leading her to alter her appearance and behavior.
• Victor Allan Miller (Harry Shearer): A stage actor who is encouraged by the Oscar buzz surrounding ‘Home for Purim,’ but is also realistic about his career prospects.
• Callie Webb (Parker Posey): A rising actress in ‘Home for Purim’ who also gets caught up in the Oscar hype, affecting her relationship and career choices.
• Jay Berman (Christopher Guest): The director of ‘Home for Purim’ who must navigate the changing direction of his film as Oscar buzz increases.
• Eugene Levy (Morley Orfkin): A talent agent representing Victor Allan Miller and who is seen avoiding his client unless they’re doing well, .
• Fred Willard (Chuck Porter): As the Entertainment TV reporter, he humorously covers the Oscar buzz and its impact on the actors.
• Jane Lynch (Cindy Martin): The co-host to Porter for the Entertainment TV show, they hilariously cover the Oscar buzz.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lane Iverson: “You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater because then all you have is a wet, critically injured baby.” – Lane expresses his frustration with studio interference and script changes, emphasizing the importance of preserving the original artistic vision.
• Corey Taft: “It’s all about the buzz.” – Corey emphasizes the fickle and often superficial nature of Hollywood’s award season and public perception.
• Cindy Martin: “Well, Chuck, I think we’ve seen it all. But I’m sure there will be more for us to see next week.” – Mocking the empty enthusiasm of Entertainment Tonight-esque shows after they interview celebrities.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,549,923
• Worldwide Gross: $5,925,637

💥 For Your Consideration Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Christopher Guest’s films, but this one hit differently. The way it shows the desperation and the sheer absurdity of chasing awards felt so real, almost uncomfortably so. Catherine O’Hara’s performance was phenomenal, and it made me feel for her character’s struggles. Seeing the ‘Home for Purim’ transformation was hilarious and sad. I’d recommend it, but be prepared for some cringe-worthy moments!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Christopher Guest films”
  • “People interested in Hollywood satire”
  • “Viewers who appreciate mockumentary-style comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Satirical depictions of Hollywood culture”

Professional Reviews

• The Wrap: “Guest delivers a sharp, often hilarious, satire of Hollywood’s obsession with awards season. The ensemble cast shines, especially Catherine O’Hara, but the film occasionally loses focus amidst its many characters and subplots. Despite minor flaws, it’s a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry.
• Variety: “While ‘For Your Consideration’ offers glimpses of Christopher Guest’s signature wit, it ultimately falls short of his previous mockumentary masterpieces. The film’s satire feels somewhat toothless, and the characters, though amusing, lack the depth and charm of those in ‘Best in Show’ or ‘Waiting for Guffman.’ Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable, albeit uneven, comedy with standout performances from O’Hara and Shearer.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Christopher Guest trades his mockumentary format for a more traditional narrative, but the results are mixed. ‘For Your Consideration’ effectively skewers the absurdity of awards season and the desperation of actors seeking recognition. However, the film’s lack of a strong central plot and its reliance on broad stereotypes prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Audience Reactions

Catherine O’Hara’s performance as Marilyn Hack is both hilarious and heartbreaking.: Viewers loved the satire of Hollywood and awards season.

Fred Willard’s portrayal of a clueless entertainment reporter provided many laugh-out-loud moments.: The ensemble cast delivered strong performances across the board.

Overall Consensus: A mildly funny, if uneven, satire of Hollywood’s award season obsession, with some standout performances but lacks the sharp wit of Guest’s previous work.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “As with Christopher Guest’s other films, ‘For Your Consideration’ was largely improvised, with the actors working from a detailed outline rather than a full script.”
• “The title of the film within the film, ‘Home for Purim,’ and the blending of Jewish themes with a Southern setting, was intended as a satirical commentary on Hollywood’s attempts to create ‘meaningful’ content.”

🖥️ How to Watch For Your Consideration?

As of October 2024, ‘For Your Consideration’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check these platforms for current availability to stream with a subscription. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed For Your Consideration, you might like these similar films:

• Waiting for Guffman (1996): Both are mockumentaries by Christopher Guest, focusing on the eccentricities of a specific subculture (community theatre vs. Hollywood) and the dreams of fame.
• The Player (1992): Offers a satirical look at the inner workings of Hollywood, focusing on studio executives and the development process, but with a darker, more cynical tone.
• State and Main (2000): Examines the impact of a film production on a small town and satirizes the egos and eccentricities of actors and filmmakers.
• Tropic Thunder (2008): A more outrageous and action-packed comedy that satirizes the excesses of Hollywood, particularly the lengths actors will go to for a role and the inflated egos on set.

🛒 For Your Consideration Related Products

• Waiting for Guffman [Blu-ray]: Enjoy the mockumentary that made Guest a household name in 1080p High Definition.
• Best in Show (Collector’s Edition) [DVD]: This Special Edition contains commentary, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage, perfect for any die-hard fan.
• A Mighty Wind (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the folk music magic with this collection of original songs from the film.
• Home for Purim Movie Poster: Own a piece of the movie magic! This poster recreates the original movie poster design, capturing the essence of the film within a film.

🎧 Soundtrack

For Your Consideration features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Julie” – performed by Max Steiner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

For Your Consideration

OMG, check out this hilarious clip of Catherine O’Hara and Fred Willard in ‘For Your Consideration’! Their comedic timing is pure gold, I can’t even. You HAVE to see this!

Home For Purim

Remember that awkward family dinner scene in ‘For Your Consideration’? This ‘Home for Purim’ clip is comedy gold! I can’t even watch it without laughing, it’s so relatable, right?

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