This Is Spinal Tap ***** (1984, Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer) – Classic Movie Review 1637
Director Rob Reiner’s hysterical 1984 ‘rockumentary’ send-up of heavy metal bands hits the target bull’s eye. It gleefully uses improvised performances and fake documentary film-making to chronicle the catastrophic American tour of England’s legendary but troubled rock group Spinal Tap (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer) attempting an American comeback tour while promoting their album Smell the Glove.
Guest plays Nigel Tufnel, McKean is David St Hubbins and Shearer is Derek Smalls. All three stars and director Reiner are credited for the screenplay.
Reiner also plays Marty DiBergi, a fan who is also a documentary film-maker who accompanies them to record the band’s progress as they head towards crisis on what proves to be a fateful tour. The star performances are hilariously spot-on, the mockumentary is consistently hilarious throughout, there are powerful performances of Tap’s pivotal music and the exuberant star cameos from Bruno Kirby, Ed Begley Jr, Billy Crystal, Patrick Macnee and Anjelica Huston are assets.
Every second line or third line of dialogue is a huge laugh and the movie is an enduring favourite as a lovingly delivered, possibly totally undeserved custard pie in the face for the excesses of the rock business. A comedy classic, This Is Spinal Tap comes up fresh and funny every time.
Other films from these funny people include Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006). Other films like This Is Spinal Tap include Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and Airheads (1994).
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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1637
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