Customer Reviews

Spanking the Monkey

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I Netflixed this movie simply because I really liked David O. Russell's other work ("I Heart Huckabees," "Three Kings," "Flirting with Disaster") and it did not disappoint.

The simplest way to describe this movie would be, a descent into The Dysfunctional Family From Hell, or mostly, The Dysfunctional Parents From Hell And Their Unfortunate Son. The film covers a relatively short span of maybe a week one summer when a college freshman finds himself unexpectedly trapped at home looking after his bedridden mother. It is a deeply absurd and Kafkaesque world which provides plenty of black black comedy.

Two things really stand out in this movie: 1. It is never predictable, which kept my attention riveted to the screen, and 2. It always looks and feels "real." That is to say, it never resorts to the usual hooks and cop-outs that most movies rely on: using a more attractive/telegenic cast, prettifying what little nudity and sex there is, having a satisfying/redeeming/uplifting ending wherein the main character "solves" a problem or "learns" a lesson at film's end, etc. The sheer level of interpersonal dysfunction is downright surreal, yet Russell captures it all with a chillingly journalistic approach.

Many of the scenes are not easy to watch, but due to their emotional and visual realism it is equally hard NOT to watch them. Yes there is some mother-son incest but it's not really graphic, the stark emotional violence is what truly disturbs. Overall a very original and courageous movie...certainly not multiplex fodder!

Brilliant, powerful, and while there are moments of dark humor, they are few and far between. This is a powerful, compelling drama, and once you get into it, you'll sort of BECOME Ray Aebelli (Jeremy Davies) and you'll appreciate one of the greatest acting performances in history. This isn't just about "masturabtion and incest." As another reviewer said, it is about being trapped in a situation you don't want to be in, and being unable to find a way out. When you view the end (which will come with a jump, that's all I'm going to say on the matter so as not to spoil it), pay attention to the metaphor that is used when he falls and....you'll have to watch.

After being forced to give up a prestigious internship in order to "babysit" his mother, who has a broken leg, a teenager finds himself falling in love with his mother.

Much like "Happiness", a black comedy about a pedophile, "Spanking the Monkey" is the sort of film that will not appeal to everyone. This film is billed as a black comedy, and I suppose it is, in retrospect, but I didn't feel like I was watching a comedy when I was watching it. What this film is, is a truly amazing character study of a suburban family that contains some laughs but also realizes that a lot of what it's dealing with just shouldn't be laughed at. Writer/director David O. Russell ("Three Kings", "I Heart Huckabees") takes a subject that most people wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, that is, incest, and explains how it could happen and the consequences if it does happen. The result is a film that feels completely believable and that is also completely compelling.

This is an intelligent film that doesn't provide the audience with easy answers. In fact, a lot of questions that this film raises are left unanswered at the end, like, for example, who did initiate the relationship in the first place, Raymond or his mother? It is also a very restrained film, and all the better for it. Don't expect to see any sex scenes between a 19 year old and a 40 year old. Everything is left to the audience's imagination.

Not being a big David O. Russell fan (I didn't like "Flirting With Disaster" or "I Heart Huckabees"), I almost didn't bother with this film (I only saw it because I bought it as party of a triple pack with two other films that I did want) but I am so glad that I did as this is one of the most incredible films that I have seen in my entire life. If you can get past the initial concept, I highly recommend that you see this film.

I have an old laserdisc of this film that, years ago, I used to watch over and over. I popped it in again recently to see if I still liked the film enough to buy the DVD. It's not as funny as I remembered. Actually, it's horrifying. The only reason I'd consider buying the DVD is to give it to a therapist to watch and discuss it.

Ray (Jeremy Davies, "Saving Private Ryan") has to pass up an internship to the Surgeon General's office so he can take care of his mother, Susan (Alberta Watson, "Guilt by Association"), who's bedridden due to depression and a broken leg. His father Tom (Benjamin Hendrickson, "Regarding Henry") is busy traveling around the country selling motivational tapes. Susan and Ray develop an unhealthy relationship.

This is a very angry film. Maybe I didn't notice this before because I was distracted by the in-jokes, like the winky "Shaking Hands" homage to "The Graduate" when Tom confronts Ray -- or maybe I was too angry myself to notice the director's anger. David O. Russell made the very funny "Flirting with Disaster" after this, which in retrospect, "Spanking the Monkey" must have freed him to make. "Spanking" is worth a try if you like disturbing psychological comedy(?), but it's one that probably won't hurt you to miss.

This movie is the first time I have seen mother-son incest portrayed so accurately.

Different from fathers who abuse their children sexually, mother's do so in more covert ways making the child feel they are the perpetrator. The mother in this movie was covert in that she would quietly initiate her son to behave in sexual ways and when he would it would look like it was what "he" wanted when, in truth, it was what "she" wanted.

No son ever wants to have sex with his mother. And even if he has the fantasy the mother should stop it and never engage it. These type of mothers are very sick and unfortunately I see the results of what they to in the therapy room amongst my male clients.

The wreckless behavior he begins to engage in is so common among the men sexually abused by their mothers.

Anyone watching this film should remember that even though it was the son who appears to be initiating the sexual contact with his mother, it is "her" that is grooming him to do so. She is the perpetrator--not the son! Ever!

being a fan of David o russel's Three Kings, I was eager to watch his first ever feature. Boy wa I delighted. Spanking the Monkey has to be one of the best movies out there about son/mother/family relationships. THe tension between Jeremy davis and his mother was perfectly constructed. each scene was well thought out, and the audience get to think as Jeremy D's character as well. THe subplot of his relationship with his neighbor's girl is also very well thought out, and very funny sometimes. It provides a perfect contrast to his relationship with his mother. The acting in this movie is superb, everyone's so realistic that you can almost relate to any of them. Highly recommended, one of the best movies of the decade.

This movie is amazing. Even though it centers around a very in lack of a better word "Yukky" subject, this is a spectacular movie. Alberta Watson and Jeremy Davies are a great combination. Especially the way the interact with one another. The ending is a bit gloomy yet throughout the movie humor is used. It is worth watching.

spanking the monkey has got to be in my top 5 movies of all time. first of all, I have discovered the wonderful alberta watson who plays this role like pierre rampal plays the flute. I totally got absorbed in the strange but touching plot which was by no means unrealistic or "gross" as some preferred to describe it. i'm not sure if david o. russell wrote the story as well as directed it. I have yet to find out WHO came up with this crazy yarn, for the majority of the credit should go to the writer. but, oh! alberta! since this movie I have grabbed up everything she has worked in. spanking the monkey was surprising, sexy, depressing,funny, thought-provoking, and I just can't come up with enough kudos for this award-winning work. I have only seen it on tv re-runs. I have yet to see the uncut video.oh, and jeremy ain't bad either.the foreplay between ray and "mom" is quirky, then suspicious, then anticipating, then bam!it cleverly and obligingly left the rest to the imagination to ponder... and boy, did I ponder!and i'm no lover of incest, but... it was great the way russell built the viewer "into" the film as if you were in the room with the characters, they were so good.very well acted, directed & produced. a must for any movie lover of any preference.

Spanking the Monkey is a really good movie. I was not disturbed or disgusted by it. I thought that the characters were real enough to make the story very believable. And I really felt for Raymond that he was never able to be "alone" when he needed it. What an interesting and truthful film.

one night a few weeks back this film came on cable and I thought I gotta check this film out. and talk about dysfunctional? the Mother and Son was more twisted than what you see on Jerry Springer,but yet it draws you in.very cleaver written and directed and the pacing as well.