Spanking the Monkey
Spanking the Monkey | |
---|---|
Directed by | David O. Russell |
Written by | David O. Russell |
Produced by | Dean Silvers |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Michael Mayers |
Edited by | Pamela Martin |
Music by | David Carbonara |
Distributed by | Fine Line Features |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $200,000[2] |
Box office | $1,359,736[2] |
Spanking the Monkey is a 1994 American
Plot
Ray Aibelli has finished his first year of college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He plans to spend his summer taking advantage of the prestigious medical internship he earned; however, he has to forego the award to take care of his mother, Susan Aibelli. She has suffered a leg injury keeping her homebound just as her husband, Tom, is about to leave for an extended period to work as a traveling salesman. Ray's relationship with his overly controlling father is troubled. Meanwhile, his parents also have a strained relationship with one another. Susan often feels lonely and disappointed by a lack of achievement in life while Tom regularly cheats on his wife with sex workers.
Ray feels obligated to take care of his mother. While helping her shower, he glimpses her naked and experiences a sexual attraction towards her. This leads to a moment of
Feeling isolated, Ray turns to his mother and shares with her his recent sexual encounter with Toni, and she offers him sexual advice. He later openly stares at his mother's body in the shower, increasing their physical intimacy. Just as things are escalating between Ray and his mother, Ray has an opportunity to leave his mother behind when his Aunt Helen offers to be Susan's caretaker. He excitedly prepares to leave the next day. Despite this, Ray and Susan have another sexual encounter after Helen annoys them both. This happens late at night and leads to Ray missing his bus the next day. Then, Ray's father informs him that he will no longer be able to pay for his university tuition causing Ray's concern about his future to increase.
Toni and Ray resume their sexual relationship and are kissing when Susan interrupts them. She slaps Toni, injuring her. Ray and Susan have a loud argument that quickly devolves into groping and kissing. Meanwhile, Toni flees and is comforted by her father who then confronts Ray; however, Susan flirts with Toni's father, distracting him from punishing Ray.
Ray attempts to commit suicide by hanging himself from the bathroom door but Susan interrupts him. Frustrated, he complains that he can't achieve anything and attempts to initiate sexual contact with Susan. He kisses her passionately but then pulls back and attempts to strangle her to death, but then stops himself. He accepts an invitation from his friends to hang out with them again, joining them near the river. After being provoked by one of his friends, he jumps off a cliff. Early the next morning, Ray is seen hitching a ride with a truck driver.
Cast
- Jeremy Davies as Raymond "Ray" Aibelli
- Alberta Watson as Susan Aibelli
- Benjamin Hendrickson as Tom Aibelli
- Carla Gallo as Toni Peck
- Judette Jones as Aunt Helen
- Matthew Puckett as Nicky
- Zak Orth as Curtis
- Josh Philip Weinstein as Joel
- Judah Domke as Don
- Nancy Fields as Dr. Wilson
Music
Select tracks from Morphine's album Cure for Pain are used throughout the film, including "In Spite of Me" which plays over the end credits.
Reception
Spanking the Monkey was a box office success, grossing $1,359,736 on a $200,000 budget.[2]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 26 critics. The site's consensus states: "David O. Russell's feature debut scores with an endearing cast and offbeat humor, finding compelling sweetness in perverse places."[5] On Metacritic it has a score of 66% based on reviews from 15 critics.[6]
The film won the Audience Award at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.[7]
Year-end lists
- 6th – Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Daily News[8]
- 6th – Douglas Armstrong, The Milwaukee Journal[9]
- 10th – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone[10]
- 10th – Todd Anthony, Miami New Times[11]
- Top 10 (listed alphabetically, not ranked) – Jimmy Fowler, Dallas Observer[12]
- Top 10 runner-ups (not ranked) – Janet Maslin, The New York Times[13]
- Honorable mention – Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News[14]
References
- ^ "Spanking the Monkey". British Board of Film Classification. August 3, 1995. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ a b c Spanking the Money at Box Office Mojo
- ^ "Spanking the Monkey". AllMovie.
- ISBN 978-1501279881.
- ^ "Spanking the Monkey". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Spanking the Monkey". Metacritic. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ISBN 0920966551.
- ^ Strauss, Bob (December 30, 1994). "At the Movies: Quantity Over Quality". Los Angeles Daily News (Valley ed.). p. L6.
- ^ Armstrong, Douglas (January 1, 1995). "End-of-year slump is not a happy ending". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 2.
- ^ Travers, Peter (December 29, 1994). "The Best and Worst Movies of 1994". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ Anthony, Todd (January 5, 1995). "Hits & Disses". Miami New Times.
- ^ Zoller Seitz, Matt (January 12, 1995). "Personal best From a year full of startling and memorable movies, here are our favorites". Dallas Observer.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (December 27, 1994). "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; The Good, Bad and In-Between In a Year of Surprises on Film". The New York Times. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
- San Jose Mercury News(Morning Final ed.). p. 3.