SPANKING THE MONKEY (1994) - dir. David O. Russell
This 1994 film still makes people uncomfortable. It was nearly impossible to find a picture of the poster, let alone stills from the movie, so this article will go without glossy screencaps for you to ogle.
I saved the best for last, 90's babies: Jeremy Davies is one of my favorite actors from the 90's. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I was when he was recently added to the cast of "Lost," one of my current television obsessions. He is as terrific there as he is in nearly every role he takes on, even in ones he's bad in, like Charlie Manson, a role in which he was still terrific. Let me explain.
Jeremy often brings the creepy. He's actually quite a handsome, if skinny, boy, hence the acting. But he can be creepy. Sometimes, he's so creeptastic in a role, it can go way overboard into cheesy silliness (Manson). But when he's good, he's really good, especially as a henpecked medical student in Spanking The Monkey.
This film is famous for being the "incest movie." And it is. But it's also a very well-written and directed film with incredible nuance and sensitivity, which is amazing considering that director David O. Russell is not known for either of those in his real life (ask Lily Tomlin). The plot is simple: A young medical student is forced to turn down a summer internship in order to take care of his bedridden mother (who has broken her leg) while his salesman father goes away on business. Fair enough. But stuff goes down between mother and son, and well, you know, incest.
Jeremy Davies is remarkable in this role simply for underplaying his character's obvious angst, alienation and confusion. He's creepy but he's accessible to the viewer as well. He hadn't yet perfected the twitchy, spastic performances he would later become known for, so we're free to enjoy this character's torment just through his dark eyes and pained grimace.
Please enjoy the first 9 minutes or so of the film. If you are David O. Russell or Fine Line, please don't sue me. I love you!
