This Is Spinal Tap

Taking the piss. Considered by so many (or perhaps just me) to be the finest form of wit known to man. So so easy to do, with such simple results, particularly if your mates support Crystal Palace.

Rob Reiner's superlative film takes the art of taking the piss, or prendre l'urine as the French might say, to its absolute pinnacle, mocking not only the music of the era (namely the 80's heavy metal scene) but also the documentary form itself, without ever once trying to take the joke too far. The plot sees the titular band on tour, bumbling their way through such classics as "Sex Farm" and "Break Like the Wind", all the while being documented both on and off stage, by the wonderfully Scorsese-esque filmmaker, Marty DiBergi (Reiner himself). Needless to say, much humour ensues, whether it be in the portrayals, such as the Yoko like disruptive girlfriend, the knowing attention to detail, such as the ball crushing spandex trousers, or simply the band getting lost on the way to the stage.

Considering this film's immense popularity, and the way in which Empire, Film Review et al have kittens whenever they mention it, you'd think that you would know someone who had actually seen it. Do you? No, thought not. Nevertheless, Spinal Tap is quite easily the wittiest ever mockumentary picture ever made, and stands proudly in any list of funniest ever movies. It should go at about, say, 11?