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| This Is Spinal Tap |
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  (9/10)
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Runtime: 82 M |
| Public Rating: 9.25 (28 votes) |
Director: Rob Reiner |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Comedy/Mockumentary |
Year: 1984 |
| Writer(s): Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Rob Reiner |
| Reviewed by: Aaron Graham |
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This "rockumentary" being released on DVD with a ton of features including the supplements on the video (music video, faux-pas greatest hits commercial) plus a slew of new features (commentary with the actors in character, interviews with director Rob Reiner, whose first feature was this). However, I took one last look of the classic without the supplements (even the supplements from this original home video version) before I decided to step in and buy the DVD. Now, is the film worthwhile on DVD just for the film itself, definitely. This review tells why.
Its tagline reads "Does for rock 'n' roll what The Sound Of Music did for hills". It's these kind of jokes that run aplenty in this film. It stars Reiner himself as the director Marty DiBergi (a take on the directors Martin Scorsese, Brian DePalma, and Steven Spielberg, complete with a beard and soundalike name). He opens the film describing how he first heard of the band and why he wanted to tackle this documentary (or rockumentary , as he says) of the band.
Spinal Tap does not exist. This is the best part of the film, though the band could really exist. After the opening, the band is introduced-Mick Shrimpton (drummer, played by RJ Parnell), David St. Hubbins (lead guitar and vocals, played by Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (lead guitar and vocals, played by Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (bass and vocals, played by Harry Shearer).
For almost eighty five minutes we see the band in many forms-playing music with hilarious stage props (my favorite is Stonehenge) (the songs include "Sex Farm", "Hell Hole","Big Bottom", these songs are hilarious but the sad fact is metal bands of this period could have sung these songs!). --Through interviews (my favortie part) which are so hilarious and funny that i cannot repeat them here that they would ruin them.
The film is a black comedy with these nuances of rock band typicals (the Yoko Ono-girlfriend (June Chadwick) of Hubbins who wants to manage the band for example). The band has changed with the times always putting out music with the latest fad. They played British pop music, and flower power music in the sixties, and in '67 started the metal that they are known for. So great for detail that you see small things that are hilarious in the background (another reason for dvd, you see things so clearly!). Some great stage props (the cocoon not opening), and the dialogue is spot on for a Brit band like this. They had played in a skiffle band when they were young, its these details that make the film so great. Even the This Is part of the title sounds real!
They set up a history of the band so well that you almost believe they are real. And anybody that says that the two comebacks that Spinal Tap has done in the last ten years is milking the film are wrong. Spinal Tap WOULD have done it! There has been a 1992 sequel without Reiner, must not be as good but ill have to check it out. Also they are playing talk shows to promote the dvd and the films rerelease premiere into theaters. The jokes fly by fast and furious and there are subtle ones that you catch on third or fourth viewing. When I first seen this at 7, I didnt quite understand it but as i seen it last year again i saw the brilliance of it. Also of special note is Tony Hendra as Ian Faith, their manager (who quits later) is so perfect. He looks like a Beatles manager or something. He is just perfect.
Picture Woody Allen's Zelig if it had been a rock band or DA Pennebaker's Don't Look back with Bob Dylan, only this time with humor. All this is there for great jokes and the stereotypical functions of a rock band make it hilarious. We all knew the stereotypes, just no one said anything till this film. Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights started off as a Spinal Tap-ish faux documentary on the main character Dirk Diggler.PTA did this when he was 17, but then thought the idea was tired. Also in Rob Reiner's The Sure Thing, in John Cusack's character's room there's a poster of this. Also great are the fans at the first, so perfect in their interviews (especially the blonde druggie/groupie.
There are so many cameos in this that i'll try to name them to recount them for myself: Bruno Kirby (my favorite cameo) he plays a limo driver with a likeing for Sinatra.
Ed Begley Jr. as an old drummer.
Fran Drescher, as Bobbi Fleckman a hostess at a party, she helps with the bands album "Feel The Glove" (which the cover is too offensive).
Patrick Macnee as the owner of the record company.
Billy Crystal (Reiner's later favorite) and then unknown Dana Carvey as mimes.
Howard Hesseman as a manager of a popular rock band.
Paul Schaffer as a record store owner who after the bands unpopularity has brought no one to a record signing, blames himself.
and Anjelica Huston (missed the first couple times i seen it because shes hard to see.) Scream queen Brinke Stevens also plays a groupie uncredited.
All in all, the dialogue, the format (just like the real thing), the comedy, the music, the humor, blackness of it is perfect. Too many great scenes and lines to name (like the Fred Willard scene at the Naval base , or right after Stonehenge's failure when Smalls asks a "serious" question"). Everyone will find a particular joke they like and dont be surprised when a couple of days later you find yourself remembering a joke and laughing out loud. Every scene is like it would be in a real rockumentary but done with so silly and black humor that it turns funny. Like to the opening, to the fans, to the concert song, then to on the road, this is the proper format. And when Spinal Tap loses popularity thats when the jokes start to really move (amps to 11, "mach",the radio-"where are they now"? scenes). People whove seen the movie will get the references, others wont know WHAT im talking about.
Definitely a buyer on DVD. I cannot wait for the extras and to see it in a clearer manner! I am a big fan , i have the rerelease poster and have taped their new reunion appearances (like on David Letterman this Thursday! wonder if they mention musician on that show, Schaffer who was in this). The band is so real now, its unbelievable. The end credits interviews are the best. ("id be a full time dreamer", "what are the hours?" scenes being the best).
Written by stars Shearer (theres even a joke why hes called Smalls!yes its that reason), Guest , McKean and debut director Reiner. All the music and lyrics by these four as well. Peter Smokler did the photographing and there were three editors (including Robert Leighton, frequent Reiner collaborator). Also great production design (like the sets!) by Bryan Jones and costume design by Renee Johnston. Classic!
Anyway see it for yourself. You're guaranteed to like something!
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