# Spanking the Monkey (1994)

### reviewed by
Brian Koller

    Spanking the Monkey (1994)

    Grade: 82

When is a black comedy not a comedy? When the humor is occasional and ironic, and when expressions of frustration are incorrectly interpreted. "Spanking the Monkey" is a family drama and not a comedy, and its themes (which, yes, include incest) are nothing to wink at.

Raymond (Jeremy Davies) has finished his first year of pre-med at MIT, and has landed a desirable summer internship. Unluckily, his attractive young mother (Alberta Watson) has broken her leg and is bedridden. Raymond's father (Benjamin Hendrickson) is a struggling travelling salesman. Raymond is forced to forsake the internship and play nurse to his mother, a duty which soon includes giving her showers and massages, which lead to... well, 'nuff said. Further complicating Raymond's life is a forward but inexperienced neighbor girl (Carla Gallo).

Raymond's joyless family is in trouble. The problems are so deep as to be unsolvable. Mom is bored, lonely, isolated and sexually frustrated. Dad is interested only in the family dog, exercising control, and philandering. Raymond wants to escape the unhappy family for his internship, and lacks sympathy for his parents' plight. With Raymond at college, Dad out on the road and Mom left home, the family members seem driven apart from each other.

"Spanking the Monkey" was the debut feature for director David Russell, who also wrote the script. One source says the budget was all of $80,000, but it couldn't have been that low! While the film has the feel of an indy release, the cinematography is on a par with a major studio release, and the casting is excellent. "Spanking" provides proof that all that is required of an excellent film is good writing, direction and casting. My favorite supporting character is Aunt Helen (Judette Jones), whose maternal eccentricities make her the film's only true comic character.

kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html

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