A must see for those who take themselves too seriously...

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2012)

Fame is fleeting. This eye-opening "rockumentary", as the film's director Marti DeBergi, calls it, chronicles British rock band, Spinal Tap, self-proclaimed as "the world's loudest band", as they embark on an American tour, and come to find out that hard truth. Being the biggest band in the world during the 1960's, this documentary follows the band during their 1984 tour, and DeBergi captures the raw truth of what it is like to be a rock band in decline.
Of course, that is just the storyline of the film. This is Spinal Tap pioneered the "mockumentary " movement in American film, and actually had quite a few people fooled into thinking that this was a real band. The band members, David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (played by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer, respectively), come to find out that their fame isn't what it used to be, as they plod along the tour dealing with small half-filled venues, canceled shows, being second billed to a puppet show, and even playing to an army base on leave that was more reminiscent of a bad company Christmas party.
Lampooning is in full effect here as the film is a parody of gigantic, over-the-top rock bands and their pretentious lyrics, overblown stage props, and overall inability to see the truth about themselves and their level of cultural importance.
Just about every scene is memorable and quotable (i.e. the famous "it goes to 11" bit, Derek Smalls getting trapped in a stage prop, the Stonehenge concert scene, getting lost backstage, etc.). The clever writing is actually credited to the stars of the film and all act their part wonderfully. It was due to their acting ability, coupled with Reiner's ability to make a fake documentary, that people actually believed that the band was real. June Chadwick also turned in a great performance as Jeanine Pettibone, the proverbial "Yoko Ono" of the band. This film was also filled with cameos from Bruno Kirby, to Billy Crystal, to Fred Willard, all of whom contributed their own unique style to this film. The direction by Rob Reiner was also great in this movie. Even though I knew that this was a fake band, I couldn't help feeling sorry for them at times as their reality "caves-in" on them and the band is faced to force the reality of their situation.
This is Spinal Tap did pioneer the "mockumentary", as several others followed in its footsteps, however, I don't think that any will have the impact that Spinal Tap did. The success and fanfare following this film is so large, that the fake band has even released music albums, gone on tours, and the actors have reprised their roles several times in the last 27 years, including a guest spot on the Simpsons, of which Shearer is a regular cast member.
This is Spinal Tap is a wonderfully made film that most should take the time to see. I say most, because, I believe that as a pre-requisite to watching this film, you have to be somewhat familiar with rock music and rock stars. But overall, I would definitely recommend this film for those that need a good laugh, or maybe those that take themselves just a little too seriously
8/11