Tap Into Your Stupid Sense of Humor

Big Bottom. Sex Farm. Hell Hole. Are these appalling couplets of words descriptions of some seedy, underground nightclubs that house the sleaziest of the sleazy? Or perhaps the working titles of the latest pornographic films to hit the shelves of adult video stores? No. Actually, they’re the titles of songs performed by a fictional, 80’s metal band called Spinal Tap. These songs, along with countless others of the immature variety, help to encapsulate what This Is Spinal Tap is all about: cleverly stupid comedy.

The same brilliant minds that made such films as Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman amazing pieces of satirical work cut their teeth together in this, their first collaboration. The idea is simple: follow a metal band around for a few months with a camera and see what unfolds. The twist comes when you substitute fictional characters for everybody in the documentary. This form of filmmaking, often referred to as a “mockumentary,” generally features over-the-top caricatures of real people tends to let the audience into the ruse. However, Spinal Tap (the band) worked so well that people often thought that they were a real rock group. Director Rob Reiner was repeatedly stopped on the street and asked how he found them.

This film stars Michael McKeon as lead singer David St. Hubbins (St. Hubbins, of course, is the patron saint of quality footwear), Harry Shearer as overzealous bassist Derek Smalls, and Christopher Guest as the dim-witted, but loveable, lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel. Although this film came out in 1984, the lasting effect of its unforgettable characters can still be seen in current pop culture. It is still one of the most quoted movies of all time, simply because of its dumb charm. Talk about amps with volume going up to 11, an obscene and sexist album cover, and reviews stating “they are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry” cover the broad comedy that maintains the film’s genius.

Spinal Tap relies not only on memorable quotes but also on ridiculous sight gags. If you’ve ever wished to see a replica of Stonehenge be nearly trampled by a circle of dwarves, this is the movie you want. The goofy costumes, stage props, and overall demeanor of the band members are what truly set this movie apart from any others of its ilk.

If you consider yourself a comedy elitist who is above watching a grown man get caught for stuffing a cucumber down his pants, you may not see the allure of Spinal Tap. However, if you’re willing to let yourself be engrossed by silly humor and bad hair, then go rent this movie. And don’t forget to turn your TV up to 11!