Classic

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2006)

'This is Spinal Tap' still holds up as the best mockumentary ever made for the simple reason that it is so believable. All involve manage to push every situation to its limits without making the fatal step into ridiculous slap-stick or obvious parody. The ignorant, self-delusional, preening, mock-sincerity of celebrities, heard in a thousand interviews over the years, is perfectly captured. What makes these characters all the more tragic is that they remain forever clueless as to just how dumb and talentless they really are.
The performances from the leads are incredible, with each actor completely inhabiting his character, bringing a depth and honesty that is genuinely award-worthy. The dialogue, much of it improvised, is pure gold, with more quotable lines per minute than just about any other film in history. And of course the music, a pitch-perfect recreation of the very best of strutting cock-rock, is unforgettable.
Simply a brilliant movie, and one of the best comedies ever made.