This Is Spinal Tap

Starring: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Tony Hendra, Rob Reiner
Written by: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner
Director: Rob Reiner
Year: 1984

Rating: * * 1/2   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *  )  Total: * * * 1/2

The very definition of "cult favorite", Spinal Tap is a mocumentary that follows a fictitious British Metal band on their North American tour. An aging rock group, they try and milk their mediocrity for one last go around.

Meet the band:

Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar - David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean). 

Lead Guitar and Back Up Vocals - Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest)

Bass Guitar and Back Up Vocals - Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)

Keyboards: Viv Savage (David Kaff)

Drums: Mick Shrimpton (R.J. Parnell)

This film establishes itself quickly, presented as a documentary film that follows Spinal Tap on their U.S. Tour. Even director Rob Reiner plays the documentary director, Marty DiBergi. Once established, this film becomes a satirical tour de force that spoofs the rock n roll, record company, music business as it was in the 1980's. The music of this film is truly exceptional. The lead actors, Michael, Cheristopher, and Harry actually wrote the songs and lend their vocal and musical talents to the film. In other words, it's really them onstage and really playing. Their songs are perfectly crafted in the sense that musically and lyrically it fits the genre, yet being a comedy, the words are very tongue in cheek. But because they sing them straight man style, you actually have to do a double take as you realize how absurd they are. for example, in the song "Big Bottom", you hear "big bottom...big bottom...talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em." Other hits include, "Rock N Roll Creation", "Sex Farm", "Gimme Some Money", and more.

Anything and everything that can go wrong does. The band get's lost backstage in Cleveland. Derek gets trapped in a cocoon stage prop for the entire song. No one shows up at an autograph session. The band plays an Air Force social function, and Nigel's wireless guitar begins broadcasting the air tower transmissions. A song dedicated to the majesty of Stone Henge, with an 18 inch stage prop, with dwarves dancing around it. A gig at a festival show where the puppet show is billed above them. And that's just the beginning.

Not to mention we see plenty of band drama. David's girlfriend, Jeanine, joins them on tour. In traditional Yoko Ono fashion, she begins influencing the band through David. Their manager Ian (Tony Hendra) quits the band, and Jeanine takes over, basing her management decisions on her interpretation of the zodiac. Nigel quits the band out of frustration. The album cover gets rejected and they go with a solid black cover, no title, no label, nothing. 

Be warned, Christopher Guest is perhaps the most brilliant and underrated actor going. In dozens of films, he is so engrossed in character, he is virtually unrecognizable from previous roles if placed side by side. He is also a talented musician, and brilliant comedy writer. However, Christopher's comedy isn't for everyone. It takes a refined pallet to truly appreciate his art, but if you can, you'll be a fan for life.

The film gained cult status, especially in the circles it spoofs. Actual musicians have gone on record as saying the more they watch it, the less funny it becomes. Referring to the spot-on situations that real bands inevitably encounter. Take U2, who once on their Lemon Tour, were stuck inside the giant Lemon prop as it failed to open. In fact, the terms "a Spinal Tap moment" and "Crank it up to 11" are common slang in the music industries vernacular. They have even played live concerts including a massive benefit festival at Wembly Stadium, in which all the bass players from other bands join in to accompany Spinal Tap on Big Bottom. They have music videos that played on Mtv, and you can find their records at record stores. Not bad for a band that doesn't really exist.

In 2003, a film about Folk musicians called A Mighty Wind sees Christopher, Harry, and Michael reunited, this time as Folk Singers. Again, spoofing this type of music and the people who play it.

SEE THE TRAILER: This Is Spinal Tap