Spanking the Monkey (1994)

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Ray just wants to go to medical school. More than that, he has a great opportunity at hand: he's got a big chance with a paper he's writing to be selected as one of the ten interns for the Surgeon General in DC. But there's a hitch, an annoying and bib and personal one: his mother, a depressive, has broken her leg quite badly and is in bed and needs help to do basic things: go to the bathroom, take a shower, have meals, etc. So Ray's father, a traveling salesman (and a louse, which we see in snippets though sadly the rest of the family never quite knows about if suspects), tells Ray he has to do this, no one else can help, and it will be about a month. So much for the internship, right? Could he make it? But what about those showers? And lotioning the legs and the under-the-cast area? And those little touches of the forearm. Mom, you're trying to seduce me(?) Um... are you?Spanking the Monkey, a technically and writerly masterstroke (no pun intended) of a debut from director David O. Russell, is simply a sick twisted f*** of a movie made by a man who, at the time at least, was probably a sick twisted f*** as well. You wanna know what this is? Here's a pitch: Young Charles Manson (who Davies later played) does his Mom. There. Go see it. It delivers on that but it's so much more a psychological mind-bender, but told without too much flash and panache - this isn't Three Kings, for example, it's more low-key and low-budget, which adds to the disturbing elements being directed just like a regular indie film from the 90's. And it does try to add a little levity - or more of a typical quirky/awkward sub-plot where Ray may or may not get into a sexual relationship with a high-schooler (no, believe me, this is the more normal part of the movie, awkward kissing and juxtapositions with the dog as well).But be warned, sorta: this is billed as a 'comedy', and it is in the sense that I chuckled a few times. But the character interactions, Davies performance (and here, more than anything else I've seen him outside maybe Rescue Dawn) looks like he's about to explode or cry or both at any moment, and just how Russell takes a very direct approach to the psychological issues at hand, not sugar-coating how much he and his mother need help and we feel for both of them because it's so honest even in its absurdity, make it essential viewing for those looking for subversive American cinema from the 1990's, or ever really. It would be in Amos Vogel's book if it had been made in the 60's or 70's, you mark my words! That it was made for (relatively) so little and looks pretty polished is a further credit (this won the Audience Award at Sundance 94 - the year Clerks was there, to give perspective).

The mother was a lonely wife, the husband always far away and son was problematic and inexperienced with girls.Both alone in the house and get enough voltage situations arise for both and they feel attraction for each other. She was a beautiful/well charmed 50's years old lady and he was a young man.The incest itself was an "excuse", because there were problems between the characters in other parts of their lifes. I mean: mother and son already have emotional, sexual and social problems.When they got alone, experiencing all kind of tension between them, specially concerning about "sensual" ones, their needs speaks louder and they commit incest for their reliefs.The director knew well explore these topics: eroticism and family problems. Very nice movie.

The only truly notable thing to say about Spanking the Monkey is that it is one of two films that I think I've ever seen that have actually turned me on. This is kudos to not only the actress involved in the particular scene but also the director, David O. Russell, who happens to have directed both films. In what I think is his best film, I Heart Huckabees, there is a scene where Isabelle Huppert massages Jason Schwartzman's crotch with her foot. This aroused me. In Spanking the Monkey, reluctant Jeremy Davies rubs lotion on bed-ridden Alberta Watson's upper thighs. In order to give her a full once-over, he has to reach his fingertips just beyond the limits of her very short summer shorts. Good job, Mr. Russell. And thank you, Ms. Watson. I am hardly ever aroused in any way by any sexual situation of any kind in movies or TV, even some of the hottest, steamiest, most well-crafted scenes ever filmed, but David O. Russell seems to share my taste.The context of this scene is not what turns me on. The context of this scene is Oedipal, as is the film's entire premise. The premise is quite funny in a way that taps into our frustration, self-centeredness, and animal hormone roller coasters, though it's sometimes too subtle for its own good, and its serious points come without the grace they need, often taking us by surprise. The acting is surprisingly good for a low-budget independent film. I was surprised that Jeremy Davies could actually move me at all with a performance, because he normally lies flat on the screen, with the presence of one of the props. In Spanking the Monkey, ironically early in his career, he is very good.Overall, Spanking the Monkey is funny, interesting, and kind of hot, even if it's almost shameful by the standards of the writer/director's later work. It's not a particularly memorable film, but it has its highlights.

Uneven but engrossing black comedy about a medical student caring for his bed-ridden mother during the summer break and having their relationship take unexpected turns. Davies is very good as the frustrated and confused son and Watson is alluring as his sexually frustrated mother. The film works best when focusing on Ray's relationship with his parents; the parts dealing with Ray's friends are less interesting. The scenes where Ray's father tries to explain to him what is expected of him with regard to taking care of his mother and the family dog are funny, as are the ones with the dog interrupting Ray while he tries to engage in the title activity. The big moment between mother and son is handled discreetly. This is a fine early effort by director Russell.