top of page

Waiting for Guffman is utterly hilarious and oddly inspiring

Writer's picture: Polly PreviewsPolly Previews

5 Star Review by Polly Previews

5 STAR RATING


A Polly Previews Favourite

A POLLY PREVIEWS' FAVOURITE

 SPOILER ALERT


Waiting for Guffman Movie Still

I have just rewatched Waiting for Guffman (for probably the twentieth time) and was instantly reminded of how utterly hilarious and oddly inspiring it is. It manages to capture the wide spectrum and true experiences of being an artist, and as a sculptor myself, I know these struggles all too well!


In most documentaries about a creative project, whether it be a concert, an exhibition, a TV show or a film, you only see glimpses of the final product; Throughout a whole film which builds up for 1 hour and a half, you’re lucky to catch 1 minute. But to allow the musical the space for over 20 minutes was profoundly cathartic. We got to experience Corky and the cast’s proud performance, where the songs still itch a scratch in my brain which I can’t seem to satisfy anywhere else. In the context of it being a documentary (or rather, mockumentary), the showing of the musical also provides an unforeseen opportunity for their dreams to be achieved.



Waiting for Guffman Movie Still


There is an interesting nuance with the ending, as the chair for Mr Guffman was filled by an out-of-town stranger. Creative worlds are typically gate-kept; 1,000 people could absolutely love your work but only 1 person could help change your life. ‘Making it’ and stepping away from that ‘emerging artist’ label is a blurry line, and what makes anyone qualified to say whether you have or not? Taste is subjective, and talent slips under the radar painfully easily. You have to be good enough to even ‘make it’, and you have to stay consistent, and continue to make gradual steps towards your goal; but the reality is, whether we like to admit it or not, a lot of it rests on luck, on being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people.


When the cast finds out the seat was taken by a stranger, they are disappointed and their dreams are seemingly crushed. But actually, having the approval of a complete stranger with no connection to the creative space, expectation, or experience with the place and subject, should mean more than anyone else who could’ve sat in that chair.


I relate to all the characters within this film. They all share my dreams, my ambitions, my unwavering sense of hope, my drive, but also the fears which relax in the corners of my mind, the fears of settling and giving up.


But Waiting for Guffman shows us that success doesn’t have to be loud. You can make noise wherever you are. You’ve just got to keep going.


It is a true masterpiece, still some 27 years later.

0 comments

Comments


Polly Previews Newsletter

Stay up to date with Polly Previews 

Thanks for submitting!

© 2024 By Polly Previews. Powered and secured by Wix

  • Instagram
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
bottom of page