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**1/2 STARS

I look forward to a Christopher Guest movie like I do Halloween, with giddy child like anticipation. When I heard that the subject of this movie was the Oscar’s, I could hardly wait to see what these comic madmen would come up with. I would have to say this movie didn’t have the same pizazz as “Best In Show”. Much like “A Mighty Wind” this movie relied on the concept and didn’t utilize the wealth of material provided.

When I read about the making of “For Your Consideration” last spring, I was super stoked to see this movie cause the plot has so much potential. The idea that a movie has clout just by having a potential buzz of an Oscar nomination is a perfect idea for Guest and company to send up. And for a movie about the making of a Southern Jewish Lesbian family drama, there should have been non-stop laughs.

I can say that there were a few shining moments in this film, one of the most memorable being Catherine O’hara’s performance. Her turn as a washed up actress trying to gain Oscar cred is painfully true and comical. Her scenes in the last act are pretty remarkable, I would even say it is Oscar worthy. I enjoyed the premise and waited for the non-stop snappy dialog to pop out at me, but was let down by the slow pacing in the scenes without O’hara.

I feel as if maybe this movie will get better with multiple viewings, this time around it lost my attention during the slow parts. Jane Lynch and Fred Willard give on the spot, biting performances as over the top “Access Hollywood” like reporters. The scenes with both of them are the most hilarious in the whole movie. I laughed as loud as I did in “Borat” when the pair were on the screen.

The movie with-in a movie, “Home For Purim” is at first ripe with jokes, but the execution of the material is weak. Christopher Guest doesn’t illicit much laughs as the director, which is a shame because he usually shines in his roles. Harry Shearer and Eugene Levy have few memorable scenes, but Jennifer Coolidge is as funny as ever as the movies producer. But the part is very similar to her past roles in Guest’s movies. Parker Posey isn’t utilized as much as I would have liked either.

All in all, I was not impressed and a little let down by “For Your Consideration”. I hope after watching it again on DVD I will be able to get some more of the subtle humor. I was hoping for another miracle, but won’t hold this movie against the usually brilliant cast and creators, I just wanted more.