Review of Spanking the Monkey (1994) by Corey C — 29 May 2009

A well made film that is just too out there for me, and believe me...that's saying something. First of all...HOW is this movie okay? How could someone write a plot like this and feel satisfied with their lives when they were done? Here's the breakdown: it's about a college student who's off for the summer (the Wonderful and Talented Jeremy Davies) who has to throw off a prestigious internship to take care of his sick mother while his father is away on a business trip. I mean, that's enough right there, right?

Apparently not. No, the writer decided that for maximum drama, young Mr. Davies had to experience a sexual journey while he was at home for the summer. And with who of all people? HIS MOTHER. I don't want to spoil and tell you what happens, but...it's disturbing. Yes, the film was well shot, David O. Russell is a great director, blah blah blah, but I cannot get over a plot like that. I just can't. And I'd like to see you try.