Film Review || This is Spinal Tap (1984)

fig 1.

Rock and Roll never dies. In retrospect, this phrase is dated, with many echoing the original glam rock scene, that developed in the 1970s, from Japanese bands such as the The Gazette, which now identifies under 'visual kei', to gothic/emo styled bands like Slipknot or Blood on the Dance Floor. what these bands share in common with the 1970s movement is that their existence is a fad; some temporary fashion or manner of conduct that is followed with much ardor, especially by teenagers and youngers. This is Spinal Tap (1984) offers a satirical viewpoint in the form of a mockumentry.

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Mockumentry focuses on subject matter to make parody of, in this case it is the world of musicians, and their unique state of ignorant bliss as they participate in tours to please crowds, to the backstage where we observe a more familiar aspect between members of Spinal Tap and their unique history. Such to this case provides a fertile land to create fictional situations that can relate to the real world. Generalising an era in music helps to define it to cinema and screens without the need for world creation, but a need for accuracy still remains.

Satirising content offers a new perspective on subject matter. Even as this film exists it stands as a monument to the times judging from the quality of the camera and surroundings, especially in the airport security scene. Although significantly dated at this point it is important to understand from the documentary that we are looking from his perspective, not necessarily for comedy but for social reasons pertaining to sexuality or professional differences backstage. The childlike traits of the band members echo the fans, who also believe they are part of the band in a specific scene.

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To put things into perspective, the format can have a transformative effect, but in order to do this the content must be historically accurate, since the whole reason is to mock subject matter. Essentially it can be considered a form of commentary, as suiting of the genre of documentary, but in a fictional sense where the content has been deconstructed or reverse engineered by actors that embody themselves as points of significance, in this case as rock stars. In the whole to provide viewpoints for people who are either out of the times, or out of the loop can be successful simply for the sake of interest. 

Figures

fig 1. Reiner, R. (1984). This is Spinal Tap. [film still]

fig 2. Reiner, R. (1984). This is Spinal Tap. [film still]

fig 3. Reiner, R. (1984). This is Spinal Tap. [film still]