Spanking the Monkey (1994)

Raymond Aibelli is a promising medical student ready to begin a prestigious summer internship. But Susan, his mother, is immobilized by a broken leg, and his father Tom, a travelling ... See full summary »

Director:

David O. Russell

Writer:

David O. Russell

Stars:

Jeremy Davies, Elizabeth Newett, Benjamin Hendrickson

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Davies	...	Ray Aibelli
Elizabeth Newett	...	Bus Woman
Benjamin Hendrickson	...	Tom Aibelli
Alberta Watson	...	Susan Aibelli
Carla Gallo	...	Toni Peck
Liberty Jean	...	Motel Woman #1
Archer Martin	...	Motel Woman #2
Matthew Puckett	...	Nicky
Zak Orth	...	Curtis
Josh Philip Weinstein	...	Joel
Judah Domke	...	Don
Nancy Fields	...	Dr. Wilson
Judette Jones	...	Aunt Helen
Carmine Paolini	...	Mailman
Neil Connie Wallace	...	Walter Hooten

Storyline

Raymond Aibelli is a promising medical student ready to begin a prestigious summer internship. But Susan, his mother, is immobilized by a broken leg, and his father Tom, a travelling salesman, makes Raymond stay home and take care of his mother, an attractive though unhappy woman. His mother's condition leads them to a degree of immediate physical contact which Raymond finds disturbing. He soon meets Toni, a high school girl, but his sexual impulses are increasingly confused, especially since he is still upset over losing the internship.

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Plot Keywords:

traveling salesman | adultery | mother son relationship | dysfunctional family | female rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

Get a grip on yourself.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Secretos íntimos

Filming Locations:

Pawling, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,359,736 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buckeye Films, Swelter Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

David O. Russell:  in white T-shirt in the background at the bus stop where Ray's father picks him up.

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Goofs

Boom mic clearly visible when Mr Aibelli first phones Ray from the hotel room.

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Quotes

Ray Aibelli: [Helen keeps interrupting Ray and his mother talk] Can you do me a favor, Helen?
[shouting]
Ray Aibelli: Shut your big fat mouth!
Ray Aibelli: [moments later after she walks off the house] I'm sorry! I didn't mean to.
Aunt Helen: [crying] You said fat mouth!

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Connections

Featured in Indie Sex: Taboos (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Sheila"
Composed by Mark Sandman
Performed by Morphine
Copyright 1993 Head With Wings Music/Pubco (BMI)

User Reviews

Unflinching, yet compelling.

This film tends to reject the Hollywood made-for-TV oedipus complex (which is usually only expressed in undertones) scenario of a youth beset with confusion over his seemingly unhealthy relationship with his mentally ill mother, and his need to have a uncomplicated non-incestous relationship with Miss American Apple Pie. What we're presented with is a story of an independant young man who has dedicated himself to being unfettered by his emotionally distant, overzealous parents.

When his mother suffers a badly broken leg, he is called upon to take full responsibility for her care thru her entire recuperation. Very reluctantly, he is forced to acknowledge their authority yet again. He is immediately confronted with her immasculating condensations, but is unnerved by her very uninhibited demenor when under the influence of her prescribed pain-killers.

When me and my friend saw this, we were somewhat uncomfortable with the realistic candor of the actors portraying the mother and son. I can say this film, unlike any other I've seen elicits the nervous humor response far more effectively, and truly makes this worth seeing.