This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Reviewed by Danny the Demented
Updated July 15 2012

The mother of all mockumentaries as far as anyone should be concerned, in today's entertainment scene with the unstopping flow of shows like The Office (UK/US), Parks and Recreations, Trailer Park Boys, Modern Family, and Reno 911, it is time the world once again recognize this piece of greatness, that is, Spinal Tap. 

This trailblazer of cinema tells the story of documentary film maker Marty DiBergi's (Rob Reiner, also the director) making of a "rockumenatry" featuring the British heavy metal rock band Spinal Tap, which is led by the trio of David (Michael McKean), Nigel (Christopher Guest), and Derek (Harry Shearer). Neither the film maker nor the band is real, but the film's authenticity is shockingly genuine and the performances are incredibly believable almost to the point of absurdity. The film follows the band during its US tour and we witness it's fall from grace with laughs and giggles all the while forgetting that it is all made-up. The songs were well written, so well written in fact that I would've bought the record believing it to be a real rock album (though one probably would've had a hard time finding it at a record store) had it been available when I saw the movie. The grand achievement of this timeless classic, apart from it's unbelievably hilarious nature, is the fact that it presented its jokes with legitimate emotions and relationships, resulting in us believing in Spinal Tap so much that we cheer for the band to succeed, feel hurt for its failures, and rejoice for its comeback. In other words, we ended up feeling for a fictional band. In today's cinematic world, how many movies can inspire in this fashion? A rare few, if any. Genuine inspiration is impossible to fake, but Reiner managed to very nearly pull it off. To engage your audience, is that not the dream of every film maker and actor?

With classic bits like the 1-11 amplifier, smell the glove, small bread, and the Stonehenge screw-up,  it is a crime that this movie isn't shown on cable more often (HBO, you need me as your consultant, seriously). A film that is as funny in 1984 as it is today, this one is definitely AWESOME. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.