Review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) by Ronnie S — 12 Aug 2010

I have seen enough mockumentaries now that I think I can officially call myself a fan!

I just find this to be such a brilliant format, I think it can really bring out the best in the performers. I get such a thrill thinking that some of the most brilliant lines were improvised. It's really incredible that while mockumentaries are obviously mocking, or satirizing documentaries and the real-life situations they are reflecting, how true some of the scenes ring.

I enjoyed all the performances, in particular Michael McKean and his hair, Harry Shearer, and Tony Hendra as Spinal Tap's long-suffering manager. I got such a huge kick out of Ian placating his band and especially love the scene where he listens sympathetically as Nigel rants and raves about the terrible snacks in his dressing room going into incredible detail as to why the snacks at the college show were so, so wrong!

Christopher Guest is in a league of his own, he is such a chameleon!! As the co-writer, director an actor in"Best in Show", one of my favorite movies, it took me awhile to recognize Guest in this role. Granted, this was made awhile ago now!!

My favorite scene has got to be the Stonehenge prop scene, I was laughing so hard! It was so wonderfully absurd!