Spun (2002)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Jonas Åkerlund

Writers:

Will De Los Santos (screenplay)
Creighton Vero (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 February 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

the ultimate speed freak's tale.

Plot:

An out-of-control speed freak (Schwartzman) is introduced his drug of choice's creator (Rourke) by his dealer (Leguizamo). A massive three-day adventure ensues (with Fugit, Murphy, and Suvari in tow). |

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Speed | Speed Freak | Gay | Hypodermic Needle

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jason Schwartzman	...	Ross
Mickey Rourke	...	The Cook
Brittany Murphy	...	Nikki
John Leguizamo	...	Spider Mike
Patrick Fugit	...	Frisbee
Mena Suvari	...	Cookie
Chloe Hunter	...	April Love
Elisa Bocanegra	...	Giggles
Julia Mendoza	...	La Sadgirl
China Chow	...	Escort
Nicholas Gonzalez	...	Angel
Deborah Harry	...	Neighbor
Josh Peck	...	Fat Boy
Charlotte Ayanna	...	Amy
Eric Roberts	...	The Man
Larry Drake	...	Dr. K
Rob Halford	...	Pornclerk
Peter Stormare	...	Mullet Cop
Alexis Arquette	...	Moustache Cop
Jorge Cottini	...	Doorman
Annie O'Donnell	...	Vet Receptionist
Ericka Lesa	...	Cocktail Waitress
Billy Corgan	...	Doctor
Tony Kaye	...	Emcee
Ron Jeremy	...	Bartender
Thomas Knickerbocker	...	Jail Cop (as Tom Knickerbocker)
Lisa Brounstein	...	Frisbee's Mother
Marji Martin	...	Truck Stop Clerk
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gianni Biasetti	...	News reporter (uncredited)

Directed by
Jonas Åkerlund

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Will De Los Santos		screenplay
Creighton Vero		screenplay

Produced by
Mark Boone Junior	....	executive producer
Yves Chevalier	....	executive producer
Rita Dagher	....	associate producer
Will De Los Santos	....	co-producer
Nicola Doring	....	executive producer
Chris Fisher	....	associate producer
Chris Hanley	....	producer
David Hillary	....	co-producer
Thierry Klemeniuk	....	co-producer
Vincent Maraval	....	co-producer
Clark McCutchen	....	associate producer
Kiki Miyake	....	executive producer
Mark Mower	....	executive producer
Timothy Wayne Peternel	....	producer
Bradford L. Schlei	....	executive producer
Ash R. Shah	....	executive producer
Terry Spazek	....	supervising producer
Fernando Sulichin	....	producer
Creighton Vero	....	co-producer
Danny Vinik	....	producer

Original Music by
Billy Corgan

Cinematography by
Eric Broms

Film Editing by
Jonas Åkerlund

Casting by
Renita Whited

Production Design by
Richard Lassalle

Art Direction by
Jason Hamilton

Set Decoration by
Lisa Tong

Costume Design by
B.

Makeup Department
Teresa Vest	....	hair stylist: Mr. Roberts
Teresa Vest	....	makeup artist: Mr. Roberts

Production Management
Michael Williams	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mitch Kelleher	....	second assistant director
John O'Rourke	....	first assistant director
Leonard Palmestaal	....	second unit director

Art Department
Richard Lassalle	....	production designer: Muse Films
Joel Ruiz	....	leadman
Joachim Seisay	....	storyboard artist
Colby Woodland	....	scenic artist

Sound Department
David Chornaw	....	production sound mixer
David Chornow	....	production sound mixer
Albee Gordon	....	production sound mixer
Steven Klinghoffer	....	cable person
Stephen Mackey	....	boom operator
Reuben Simon	....	sound editor
Christopher Sposa	....	boom operator
Eric Thorsell	....	sound designer

Stunts
Gianni Biasetti	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Joseph Aguirre	....	second assistant camera (as Joe Aguirre)
Ramón Almanza	....	first assistant camera
William Clouter	....	key grip
Vincent Foeillet	....	focus puller
George Maxwell	....	gaffer
Jason McCormick	....	assistant camera
Rell Putt	....	grip

Casting Department
Sandra Tempelhoff	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dana Stern	....	costume assistant

Editorial Department
Douglas Salkin	....	post-production
Robin Siwe	....	assistant editor
Madeleine C. Schnell	....	post-production coordinator: Motion Picture Bond Company (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Corey Askins	....	transportation captain
Hugh Kelly	....	transportation
Richard Rollison	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
William Clark Coit III	....	location scout
Leon Dewayne Cozy	....	set production assistant
Bennett DeCarlo	....	set production assistant
Terry Gusto	....	location manager
Andrew Harrison	....	key assistant location manager
Eric Kagan	....	production assistant
Clark McCutchen	....	production attorney
Jess Place	....	production assistant
John Joseph Romero	....	production assistant
Ron Segro	....	assistant production accountant
Jordan Thau	....	production accountant
Laura Warner	....	production executive: Muse
Tracy R. West	....	production assistant

Thanks
Dario Scardapane	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Brink Films
• Little Magic Films
• Muse Productions
• Muse/Blacklist Films
• Saggitaire
• Silver Nitrate Films
• Spun Inc.
• Stone Canyon Entertainment

Distributors

• Atlantis Entertainment (2003) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
• Solida (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2003) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• TOBIS Film (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Toshiba Entertainment (Japan) (theatrical)
• Amuse (Asia)
• Ekaterinburg Art (EA) (Russia)
• Europa Filmes (2007) (Brazil) (DVD)
• FS Film Oy (Finland)
• Millennium Storm (2007) (Italy) (TV)
• Mongrel Media (Canada)
• Newmarket Films (2003) (North America)
• Saturn Home Entertainment
• Silver Nitrate Films (USA)
• Studio Canal (non-USA)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2008) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Universum Film (UFA) (2004) (Germany) (video)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Roundabout Entertainment  adr stage

Also Known As:

The Cook (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive drug content, strong sexuality, language and some violence. (video release only; rating surrendered for theatrical release)

Runtime:

101 min | Argentina:106 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Hungary:18 | Iceland:16 | Singapore:(Banned) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Canada:18A (edited version) | Canada:R | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Germany:16 | Ireland:(Banned) (original rating) | Ireland:18 (re-rating on appeal) | Italy:VM18 | Japan:R-18 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 2002) | USA:R (original rating) (cut) | USA:R (video rating) | USA:Unrated (theatrical release) (uncut)

Filming Locations:

Circus Liquor - 5600 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Brink Films

Trivia:

There are 20 producer/ co-producer credits.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ross and The Cook go to the truck stop to pick up "ingredients", they run the car into a sign bending it backwards. When they leave the truck stop, the sign is straight again.

Quotes:

Spider Mike: Who is it?
Fat Boy: It's just me, Spider.
Spider Mike: Hey. Go away, fat boy! ...I said, go away, fat boy!
Fat Boy: Okay, okay. I'll see you later.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Question to Asclepios (2004)

Soundtrack:

Star

Excellent!

This film was great! Many people have compared it to Requiem for a Dream, however I preferred this movie. Requiem accurately depicted drug addiction and how low some people would sink for their next hit. It was a very depressing and powerful movie, not one I would ever want to watch again. You leave the theater feeling extremely drained. Spun is altogether different. The only thing they have in common is their central theme. Spun centers around Ross, the fairly normal speed freak as his addiction takes him farther and farther away from reality.

Initially, I thought the characters were grossly overacted, however as the movie progressed, the opening sequences did not seem as far removed from Ross' world as I had originally thought. It was very interesting to see Ross' character move farther and farther away from reality. It was only a 3-day all-you-can-consume speed trip, however he started off as a normal guy with a drug problem and ended up on Mars, completely detached from reality. I also thought the cartoon sequences were very effective, they accurately demonstrated his impoverished state of mind while he was tripping. The audience got the impression he really was flying in his own world. It was interesting to see the lifestyles of the other people involved in the drug trade, most had been completely dehumanized by their dependence, living in squalor yet completely unaware of their surroundings.

A great film! One that I can watch again for entertainment purposes only, but which also drives home the anti-drug message without being preachy. 8/10