This Is Spinal Tap

Rating: 8/10 (10 January 2006)

This was the debut film from director Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, Misery), and over the years it has become a cult classic. It is a spoof documentary, well Rockumentary, with film-maker Marty DiBergi (Reiner) following the career of heavy metal British rock band Spinal Tap through the years. The members are Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest, also writing) on lead guitar, David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean, also writing) also on lead guitar, Derek Smalls (The Simpsons' Harry Shearer, also writing) on bass, R.J. Parnell (Mick Shrimpton) on drums, and Viv Savage (David Kaff) on keyboards. It sees their rise to fame from the early 1960's to the present day with their magnificent music and impressive lyrics (not really). It also sees them preparing for their comeback tour to America, with their infamous eighteen-inch-high Stonehenge stage prop. Also starring June Chadwick as Jeanine Pettibone, Tony Hendra as Ian Faith, Bruno Kirby as Tommy Pischedda and Ed Begley Jr. as John 'Stumpy' Pepys, with cameos from Patrick Macnee as Sir Denis Eton-Hogg, Billy Crystal as Morty the Mime, Anjelica Huston as Polly Deutsch and Fred Willard as Colonel On Military Base. The band members are all wonderfully stupid, and even though they are rubbish at singing, accompanied by the music and amusing lyrics you can't help but like the songs. It is also a very well done satire of the rock industry itself, using all the music clichés available, and even being fictional, the film made the band so popular that they released albums for real. I admit I didn't get all the gags, but for the near-realistic documentary style, the characters, and of course the music, this certainly deserves to recognised as one of the best (fake) Rockumentaries ever made. It was number 29 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs, it was number 5 on The 100 Greatest Funny Moments, and it was number 10 on The 50 Greatest Comedy Films. Very good!