This Is Spinal Tap (1984) Reviews

Since I kept hearing some really good things about this flick, I was really eager to check it out. Eventually, it was basically one of those cases when I heard about the movie for years, I got such huge expectations and this movie reached an almost mythical status in my mind. However, did the movie really live up to those expectations? Not really, I’m afraid. I mean, it was a good movie and it is definitely original (I think it was actually the very first mockumentary, a genre which has flourished since then but I think only this movie has really become a classic but I might be mistaken). So, I have to admit it, it was very well done and quite clever but, to be honest, I never thought it was really hilarious. Sure, I did smile a couple of times, yes, but did I actually laugh my ass off ? Never. Still, it was the beginning of a very prolific directing career for Rob Reiner who would be responsible for some major classics in the 80’s ('Misery', 'When Harry Met Sally...', 'The Princess Bride', ' Stand by Me', 'The Sure Thing'). To conclude, it is probably not my kind of humor but still, it remains a pretty good flick and it is definitely worth a look.

"Certainly, in the topsy-turvy world of heavy rock, having a good solid piece of wood in your hand is often useful."

Rob Reiner's celebrated "rockumentary" This is Spinal Tap is an eccentric, innovative cinematic creation that justifiably generated its own individual genre. The film rapidly reached its cult classic status and is still held in extraordinarily high regard over 20 years since its initial release. It's fascinating to note that the filmmakers wanted people to believe the film was an authentic documentary on a real-life British band. The potency and realism easily allowed an audience to genuinely believe this desired objective. When this film was originally screened to a room of British press, those conducting the screening handed out biographical notes on the fictional band. These notes were complete with priceless intimate details to create an elevated authenticity. Seeing as much of the film's cast originated from US sitcoms, lacking any fame in the UK, it was distressingly unproblematic to accept the "rockumentary" (and Rob Reiner in his Scorsese beard as "filmmaker Marty DiBergi") as wholly legitimate. This film was even taken so seriously that those present started speculating about why they hadn't previously heard of the band that the film was exploring. However, the truth became extremely obvious when amiable old Patrick Macnee showed up in a cameo performance as a chairman of Polymer Records. Nevertheless, the press were extremely impressed with the made-up documentary of extraordinary brilliance they were watching.

This is Spinal Tap ostensibly exhibits itself as a genuine documentary. But due to its fictional central characters, it falls into an entirely different category: mockumentary/rockumentary. A filmmaker named Marty DiBergi (played by director Reiner) decides to visually document a tour through the eyes of the world's loudest rock band: Spinal Tap. Although people want you to believe it is real (everyone will go through that stage due to its realism), the movie is in reality a piercing satire and spoof of the entire rock 'n' roll scene, passing itself off as a real documentary of an existent band. Uproarious behind-the-scenes footage is combined with faux-concert clips that are provided to offer profound insight into the personal lives and loves of each band member. What makes the group seem so real is in the electrifyingly realistic performances from an enormous cast. Combine these performances with the cinema verté (i.e. hand-held camera) style of filmmaking, and the result is marvellous to behold.

This is Spinal Tap is not only funny but extremely cinematically innovative; borrowing elements from factual rock documentaries and spawning an original genre...an entirely unsullied method of telling recognisable stories. Rob Reiner, playing the fictitious filmmaker Marty DiBergi, is given a few minutes at the beginning of the film to introduce the documentary. During these few minutes he explains his motivations: an objective to portray the look, feel and smell of behind-the-scenes with a touring popular rock band. This goal has been fulfilled. Reiner cleverly satirises the situation, employing a high level of poignancy and realism without inflating the truth to hyperbolic proportions. Even with such capable realism in place, there are subtle laughs aplenty. Fans of the film continually laugh at the sheer stupidity exhibited by the characters. Their stupid motivations and philosophies are embarrassingly pathetic, not to mention song titles and even a short segment at the beginning when we hear hysterically funny (negative) reviews of previous albums released by the made-up band.

The film's nature became highly influential. Whenever a biopic is released there are elements that were obviously influenced by this classic rockumentary. Even movies such as Oliver Stone's The Doors explicitly pay homage. The band members themselves are introduced and interviewed one at a time. They are depicted backstage at a gig, in their hotel rooms, travelling in limos, signing autographs, etc. There is one thing that is permanently apparent: they are amongst the most clueless, oblivious people on planet Earth! As an example, one of the band's principal nuisances on tour is fathoming how to devour the hors d'oeuvres they're served at parties. To be expected, I mean how can one possibly get those enormous pieces of luncheon meat onto those little, minuscule pieces of bread? Understandably they commence panicking. They also find themselves hopelessly lost on their way to a stage and consequently wander around in an auditorium's basement for what seems like hours. It's amusing that the band, Spinal Tap, sound quite awful. It's obvious that they're supposed to sound awful, but part of the joke is that they don't sound overwhelmingly dissimilar or any poorer than a thousand other actual rock bands. One of the greatest aspects of This is Spinal Tap is in its portrayal of the cock-ups that continually unfold during a tour. The filmmakers insert such authenticity that it feels like the real deal, thus when some major stuff up occurs it's easy to laugh. For instance, at one stage the backstage crew struggle to release a band member from his plastic cocoon so he can play on stage...then when the song is over it finally pries open. It's this simply unparalleled charm that makes this film so distinctive and memorable.

Overall, This is Spinal Tap is rightfully regarded as an influential cult classic. You don't have to like heavy metal music in order to like the film. In fact, it probably helps not to like the music in order to appreciate the satire more. Although the charm and ingenuity runs thin towards the end (the trouble with essentially every comedy ever created), it's an extremely funny, creative and groundbreaking production that's certainly worth a look and a listen. This film subsists as the ultimate example of the rockumentary genre. Some will love it, some will hate it, but it cannot be denied that the film is a tremendously clever gem helmed by forever remarkable director Rob Reiner.

7.9/10