There is a reason why the number eleven signifies the next level, excess, overkill. This Is Spinal Tap. Not many fake documentaries (mockumentaries) are very good. Fewer still ever end up being remembered. And less than a handful become immortal movies. But so far only one managed to create a few cultural memes of its own that still exist 30 years after it was released.
This Is Spın̈al Tap documents the fading British Seventies metal band Spın̈al Tap as it embarks on a tour of the United States. An advertising director called Marty Di Bergi (played by the film’s actual director Rob Reiner) follows the group as they toil through canceled shows, failed album signings, small bread slices, rejection of album covers with titles like ‘Smell The Glove’ and tiny Stonehenges.
The group’s core three members also reminisce on the history of Spın̈al Tap, starting as a lounge quartet and then hippy folk band before hearing the call of glam metal. They also ponder the band’s curious string of drummers killed in freak accidents. But spontaneous combustion is severely under reported. Personal matters, band fights, agitated managers and trying out acid jazz all make up the rich tapestry of drama behind the band.
Befitting a documentary about a band, there are numerous performances, all parodies of various rock and metal styles. The entire movie is a generous poke at the decadent glam rock era of the Seventies and many of the events in the film were inspired by actual events. But the real reason this movie works is the cast – the main actors slap on faux British accents and live out their faded rock band fantasy to the full. Most of the dialogue was ad-libbed and hours of footage was shot. Along the way a great support cast backs them up.
Spın̈al Tap’s relatively predictable story arch is bolstered by genius imbecilic moments like getting trapped in props or being lost backstage at the start of a show. When on stage they belt out a range of classic songs with lyrics like “The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin’”. Bringing it all together are the interviews and candid recordings of the band, who make the most ridiculous comments with completely deadpan faces. That’s when they aren’t wrestling with under-sized slices of bread or arguing about tiny Stonehenges.
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Best scene:
The band manages to get lost backstage, walking endlessly through underground tunnels while they hear the crowd go crazy.
Best quote:
“I’m really influenced by Mozart and Bach, and it’s sort of in between those, really. It’s like a Mach piece, really. It’s sort of…”
“What do you call this?”
“Well, this piece is called ‘Lick My Love Pump’.”
Cinophile is a weekly feature showcasing films that are strange, brilliant, bizarre and explains why we love the movies.
Last Updated: June 9, 2014
Pravesh Valab
June 10, 2014 at 16:39
Crank it to 11