This Is Spinal Tap Movie Review

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

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Written by: Christopher Guest & Michael McKean & Harry Shearer & Rob Reiner
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Starring: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, June Chadwick, Bruno Kirby
Rated: R
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Plot
Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.

Verdict
This movie's concept takes a stereotypical 80s glam rock band that's faded from popularity and has them wander through the world. Their plights are so silly yet every character takes this so seriously. Whenever a character is confronted with even a shred of logic they shrink away. It's easy to mistake this as a real documentary as the dialog is so silly and yet so serious you completely believe a rock band would think and speak in such a way. It helps that all of the dialog was improvised which provides a natural delivery. It's a movie that has such a unique tone that a second watch is deserved.
Watch It.

Review
This isn't the first mockumentary, but it is one of the most well known, capturing 80s exuberance in the form of English rock band Spinal Tap.

It's understated comedy. In an early scene the two leads prattle on about the name of their first band "The Originals" and the changes they had to make. When they discover another band with the same name, they become "The New Originals." The understated delivery of the comedy lends to the quotable potential. It also makes you wonder if this is a real documentary. These characters don't seem like they're dropping jokes, they deliver lines so earnestly.

Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean play
Derek Smalls, Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins

When discussing the string of drummers that have met an early demise, one of them choked on someone else's vomit. As one of the band members laments over the unsolved case, "You can't dust for vomit." It's so dumb, but the characters take it so seriously. Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) complains about the size of bread backstage. The conversation just keeps going and he refuses to consider any other perspective, folding the meat to fit the bread would be ridiculous.

There's the often-quoted conversation Nigel has about his amp that goes to 11. When asked why 10 can't just be louder, the response is a hapless, but these go to 11. Later he's working on a piano piece, sadder than what he usually plays. It intrigues Marty (Rob Reinder).  Then Nigel reveals the name of the song, and it's ridiculous.

Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest play Marty Di Bergi, Nigel Tufnel

The band's American tour isn't going well. Even small arenas aren't being filled. The band's time has passed. Throughout the documentary we see that these hard core rockers are are all artifice. Whenever we see their earlier music, they dabbled in whatever genre was popular.

I understand why audiences thought this was a real band when the movie released. It's silly, but everyone takes this seriously. They're emphatic about their craft and conflicts. With every scene being improvised, it gives the dialog such a natural feel. These aren't rehearsed conversations. During the first watch, I wasn't sure what a joke as this doesn't have the typical set ups and payoffs. It's all a joke, and all the conversations get funnier upon a second watch.