Spun
Spun êêê (R)
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Reviewed By Demetrius Payne
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Every ticket should come with a DETOX voucher!
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Jason Schwartzman: Ross
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John Leguizamo: Spider
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Brittany Murphy: Nikki
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Mena Suvari: Cookie
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Mickey Rourke: The Cook
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Patrick Fugit: Frisbee
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Directed by-Jonas Åkerlund
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30 Second Bottom Line: Have you ever seen a movie that puts you right in the character's shoes? If the actors are happy, you're happy, if they're sad, you're sad. If they're spun out on speed, you're spun out on speed. That's the experience that is Spun.
Story Line: This is the story of Ross (Jason Schwartzman), a young guy who somehow got himself hooked on speed. Now, by all appearances this guy doesn't have a job, however, he can afford an apartment (more like his own hotel room), and he has a car. At one point he even had a girlfriend, and now has a casual sexual relationship with an attractive stripper from a nearby strip joint. I always wonder how such TOTAL losers can have any ONE of those things, let alone all four!
One day while at Spider's (John Leguizamo) house, attempting to score some speed, Ross meets Nikki (Brittany Murphy), who tells him about her boyfriend, who runs a place where he can score & not have to put up with the weirdness of Spider & those who hang around him, namely Cookie & Frisbee. Nikki takes Ross to see The Cook (Mickey Rourke), a sex/porn-crazed wrestling fan, who also processes and sells drugs. In exchange for the free speed, The Cook only requires that Ross be at his beck & call, & avail himself & his car to The Cook & Nikki. Now that you know all the principal players, let the madness begin!
Through the magic of quick takes, bright colors, amplified sound, & some seriously trippy images on-screen, the director takes you into the world - & sometimes even into the very bodies - of these speed addicts, who embark on a multi-day, sleep deprived ride. This picture functions better than any "Don't try this at home/just say no" movies or any after school special ever could.
Tell Me More About It: If you have seen the movie Natural Born Killers, be advised that this picture launches a similar assault on the senses, without the political commentary or high body count. The images come at you fast and furious, & when they do let up a bit, they stay with you for awhile & leave you with a taste of "What did I just see?" in your mouth.
Now, if you're not prone to seizures, the pace of this action makes you almost feel like you're on a drug of some kind yourself, & if you are on drugs I HIGHLY recommend waiting till you come down to see this movie. It might cause you to go into cardiac arrest. The story is hard enough to follow stone sober, after a good night's rest. This movie gives you all the buzz you would ever want from a drug & none of the health risks. Amidst the psychedelic, frontal lobe offensive this film launched on me, I have to say this movie, actually I want to call it "an experience," was very well done. There are some very good performances in this movie, & the stand out for me was Mickey Rourke. I don't know if it's because he did such a good acting job or if it's really not a stretch to imagine him being whacked out on some drugs himself, considering his past. This movie combines good story telling with an experience you rarely get from a movie.
Rated R for pervasive drug content, strong sexuality, language and some violence. (rating surrendered)
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Demetrius Payne © 2003
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Mini Filmography
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Mickey Rourke- "They Crawl" "Picture Claire" "Angel Heart"
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Directed by-Jonas Åkerlund- "The Hidden"
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