It was a rock 'n' roll creation

Rating: 10/10 (13 May 2012)

The soundtrack itself is stand alone (satirical) brilliance, before we even delve into the mockumentary of the fictitious British band whose speakers are so loud, they go to eleven. Reiner's documentary style film follows the band on its tour of the USA, as they traverse the country playing to half empty houses, experiencing myriad crises (e.g. band members leaving, shows being cancelled) and minor debacles (e.g. the appetisers and set work). Their struggle to deliver a unique brand despite the critics scorn is nothing short of heroic.
The principal trio (McKean, Guest and Shearer) are pitch perfect as no-brain rockers with dim ideas and infantile (yet still potent) lyrics ("big bottom, big bottom, talk about mud flaps my girl's got 'em"), led around by their faithful manager (Hendra) enduring every ignominy a touring band could experience from getting lost en route to the stage via the green room to the bass player becoming locked inside a cocoon as part of an act. Director Reiner plays the band's documenter, Patrick MacNee has a cameo as a promoter and Fran Drescher, Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby, Ed Begley Jnr, Howard Hesseman and Paul Schaefer all have bit parts.
Highlights include the Stonehenge "malfunction", Guest's discussion with the director about the tempo of his speakers and the band's frank confessions about their sexual promiscuity ("we've got armadillos down our trousers, it's truly frightening"). Classic satire, well deserving of its immense cult status and also worth listening to the soundtrack for glorious parodies on Whitesnake, Jethro Tull, KISS etc.