Spanking the Monkey (1994)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

David O. Russell

Writer (WGA):

David O. Russell (written by)

Release Date:

15 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Get a grip on yourself.

Plot:

Raymond Aibelli is a promising medical student ready to begin a prestigious summer internship. But Susan...

Plot Keywords:

Adultery | Incest | Mother Son Relationship | Female Masturbation | Dysfunctional Family

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

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 Phillip Weinstein	...	Joel
Judah Domke	...	Don
Nancy Fields	...	Dr. Wilson
Judette Jones	...	Aunt Helen
Carmine Paolini	...	Mailman
Neil Connie Wallace	...	Walter Hooten

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Canada:14A | UK:18 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Pawling, New York, USA

Company:

Buckeye Films

Trivia:

Studio execs originally wanted Faye Dunaway for the role of the mother.

Goofs:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Under the Bunker: On the Set of 'Three Kings' (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

In Spite Of Me

Good tragedy – not a film you'll see too often

Ray comes home for 2 days to look after his mother before going back to his new town to take up an internship in his summer break from MIT. However his father informs him that he will need to stay much longer than that to care for her as she has broken her leg. While in the house Ray becomes increasingly frustrated and fins himself drawn into lust for his mother with devastating results.

This independent film is refreshingly straightforward but has enough quirk in it to have an edge of humour. The drama is sort of Shakespearean as Ray finds his life controlled by his mother who he becomes filled with desire for after rubbing her legs, showering her etc. This quickly finds him in a situation where, unable to masturbate due to the family dog following him everywhere and unable to have sex with a young girl because he is too rough he is increasingly drawn to mum!

This is not a comedy but a tragedy that deals with a very taboo subject. It deals with it gradually and in such a way that you can understand why it happens. Even when it happens there is no judgement – Ray is more sensitive after that and his mother seems nonplussed altogether. The fact that people hated it because they were expecting a teen comedy shows not a weakness in the film but a fault from the audience.

That's not to say this is a classic – it has flaws, some characters and scenes appear to have no meaning and the ending wasn't as concrete as I'd hoped for. But it still handles the central theme well and is a good tale of a young man who slowly loses a lot due to lust. The performances are all good – expect Gallo who is a little directionless in her character.

Overall THIS IS NOT A TEEN COMEDY! But it is a good drama on a taboo subject. It may be a little light on basic plot but the underlying themes will give you plenty to consider after you watch it.