Spiral (2007)

A reclusive telemarketer has only one semblance of a friend: His telecommuter boss. But the telemarketer's social circle seems to improve greatly when a whimsical co-worker enters his life.... See full summary »

Directors:

Adam Green, Joel David Moore

Writers:

Jeremy Danial Boreing, Joel David Moore

Stars:

Joel David Moore, Amber Tamblyn, Zachary Levi

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Annie Neal	...	Diana - The Waitress
Joel David Moore	...	Mason
Zachary Levi	...	Berkeley
Lori Yohe	...	Valerie
Amber Tamblyn	...	Amber
Ryan Chase	...	Chad
Nick Sowell	...	Record Shop Employee
David Muller	...	Will
Rose Weiker	...	Street Musician
Patrick Semmes	...	Ticket Taker
Jenson Segui	...	Boy in Cemetery
Mary Benson	...	Grandmother in Cemetery
Tricia Helfer	...	Sasha
Rileah Vanderbilt	...	Girl on Bus
Sean Bailey	...	Phone Bank Employee

Storyline

A reclusive telemarketer has only one semblance of a friend: His telecommuter boss. But the telemarketer's social circle seems to improve greatly when a whimsical co-worker enters his life. Only, as he begins to sketch his new friend's portrait, disturbing "voices" from the phone man's past threaten to lead him into a network of destruction.

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Plot Keywords:

portrait | co worker | painter | asthmatic | painting | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing behavior, violence, some partial nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

MySpace Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Spiral - Tödliches Geheimnis

Filming Locations:

136 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$3,072

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,072

Company Credits

Production Co:

ArieScope Pictures, Coattails Entertainment

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Russ Tamblyn appears in this film as an extra.

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Quotes

Mason: [after being walked home under Amber's umbrella in a torrential downpour] I live here.
Amber: Ah, well, gee Mason.
[pretending to be him]
Amber: Thank you for walking me home. Perhaps you would like to have some coffee or something. Or look at my art.
[after no response]
Amber: Right. Well, I'll see you later.
Mason: Thank you... for the umbrella.
Amber: Oh yeah, of course.
[smiling]
Amber: These things are rare in this town, you know. But if you look really hard you can usually find one. Probably shouldn't get mine wet.

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Connections

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

User Reviews

Joel David Moore Busts Out of his Shell

Call center worker by day, sensitive painter by night, Mason (Joel David Moore) is not all there. He has had emotional breakdowns many times in recent years... but now he has met Amber (Amber Tamblyn) and things seem to be looking up. Can he hold himself together?

Moore breaks out here. As both director and star, he strays away from the silly, nerdy, dorky guy roles we know him from. Here he is edgier, manic, violent at times... he strays into acting territory that should earn him attention from bigger names, maybe put him on a path towards Oscar.

Amber Tamblyn is a beautiful model, and perfect for the artwork featured here. The script is intelligent, with great insight into art, the idea of contrast and the construction of jazz music being harmony from discord. I'm sure there are deeper messages than I was able to pick up, but the writer gave this psychological thriller a smart wit and makes it a cut above the rest.

What is Adam Green's role in this film? He is listed as co-director, but this is clearly Moore's baby. I suspect Green was more of a support for Moore, helping him with technical stuff and boosting recognition for this one in the horror community... but I shouldn't assume.

As of this review, the film has been out three years with little buzz. Let me make some buzz right now: this is a film that you will love if you like thinking, mindbending films... some parts are deliciously ambiguous.