It's One Louder

Rating: 10/10 (29 October 2001)

I wonder if the actors playing Nigel Tufnel, Derek Smalls and David St. Hubbins wandered the set without ever breaking character. Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Michael McKean become their hard-rocking alter-egos for the documentary of a ficticious rock band. They know their characters so well, that they even do performances and interviews (NPR's "All Things Considered" had a good one) as these characters.
The movie features expected and unexpected cameos from Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey (a non-speaking mime), Fred Willard and Paul Schaffer in a story that spoofs every silly aspect of the rock star life. It's so funny because it closely parallels the quirks of rock star lifestyle (as seen on TV, since I've never been one) and performances. From the petty backstage gripes; such as improperly sized bread and bologna, to the grand failure of a melodramatic creative vision. It takes all the crap you see on a "VH1 Behind The Music" and makes fun of it.
The songs are hilarious, and the memorable lines will be quoted from now to eternity.
I'd also reccomend "Waiting For Guffman" (a similar tale revolving around community theater in the fictional town of Blaine, MO) and "Best in Show". Both of these feature Fred Willard, who is hilarious, in a more visible role. There's also a great Saturday Night Live skit you can probably find on any SNL Sports special. It features Martin Short, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest in the quest for a men's olympic synchronized swimming competition.
But I digress...When I first saw Spinal Tap it took a day or two for me to realize how hilarious it was. I noticed myself quoting lines, and finding parallels between the absurdity in the movie and absurdity in real life. It gets better every time I see it.
Rock.