Spanking the Monkey
| Spanking the Monkey | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | David O. Russell |
| Written by | David O. Russell |
| Produced by | Dean Silvers |
| Starring | Jeremy Davies Alberta Watson Benjamin Hendrickson Carla Gallo |
| Cinematography | Michael Mayers |
| Edited by | Pamela Martin |
| Music by | David Carbonara |
| Distributed by | Fine Line Features Axiom Films (UK and Ireland) |
Release date |
|
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 black comedy film[3] written and directed by David O. Russell. The title is a slang phrase for masturbation and is used in the film by one of the teenage characters. It was filmed in Pawling, New York.
Plot
Susan Aibelli, a married, lonely woman, suffers a leg injury at home just as her husband is about to leave on his job as a travelling salesman and her son, Raymond, is about to leave for the summer on a medical internship. Raymond is then forced to stay at home to take care of her as his father cannot. He eventually loses the internship. These troublesome events leave him emotionally confused as he and his mother are left alone together, and they develop an incestuous relationship.
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] It currently holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 22 critics.
The film won the Audience Award at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.
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.