SPUN

RATING:

Newmarket Flims

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, John Leguizamo, Brittany Murphy, Patrick Fugit, Mena Suvari, Mickey Rourke, Peter Stormare. Written by Will De Los Santos, Creighton Vero. Directed byJonas Åkerlund.

Rated R - for pervasive drug content, strong sexuality, language and some violence

This one movie has made me rethink the way I rate films. I’ve usually gone on gut instinct along with some critical uh… criticism, but without any real structure; until now. SPUN is far and away one of the most shocking and amazing films I’ve seen in a long time and therefore has to earn the highest rank without question. Because of it, I’ve decided to give this perfect mark only to those that are, not only excellent (from now on 3 ½ stars), but either revolutionary or jaw dropping. I’m making my prediction now and say that this independent film will be an Oscar winner.

SPUN is about drugs, plain and simple. It’s about those that use it, sell it and are affected by it. It shows how it’s very far reaching (even to the police who chase it down) and extremely destructive. It has single handedly cemented my belief that I will NEVER do methan. methinfed.. methanpheda… SPEED! Starring an impressive cast of characters for an independent film, it shows the lives of these addicts, dealers, distributors and makers in a very artistic and yet real way that makes you feel what they’re going through as they inject, snort or intake their narcotics. Is this a sick subject for a film? That depends on the viewer. Without a doubt, it’s extremely graphic and should NOT under any circumstances be viewed by children or those who are easily offended. This is not for you. Naturally- I LOVED IT!!

Jason Schwartzman stars as Ross, a guy who is depressed as all hell and in complete denial (probably because of the crystal) that his girlfriend Amy dumped him (you’d be depressed too. She’s beautiful.) Ross goes to his usual spot to buy his goods from Spider Mike (John Leguizamo), the local dealer. Here we meet the other main star Nikki (Brittany Murphy) along with Spider’s girl Cookie (Mena Suvari). The story is somewhat like a linear PULP FICTION. I say linear, because unlike PULP, it’s pretty much straight forward however, it’s very similar because we get to see the full story in “sets”. First we meet the dealer, then the cook and everything in between. The actual title and opening credits of the film don’t even show up until the first “set” is over; maybe 20 min. in.

The beauty (if that’s the correct term for this sick fest) in the movie lies in three places. One: the story itself. The writers, Will De Los Santos and Creighton Vero, did a fantastic job in connecting the lives of almost every single person you see on screen, whether you actually get to know them or if they’re a small side character that’s there to fill a scene. Superb. The excellence lies in the fact that every one of them actually did have a role. Each character affected the lives of every other character in one way or another, directly or indirectly. From Spider Mike not selling to the two convenience store clerks (one of which was pregnant, by the way) to them laughing at Spider’s competition when he gets his @$$ handed to him by The Cook (Mickey Rourke) to the Cook getting his ingredients from them to make a new batch of meth for Spider who in turn sells to Ross who was Cooks chauffeur to … See my point? They’re all connected and it all makes complete sense. I didn’t see any loose ends, which is sometimes a problem when stories get so intricate. All perfectly believable. You can easily imagine things like this happening in some degree or another in some parts of the US. Hell, some of you probably live nearby.

Two: the visuals. SPUN doesn’t simply tell a story. It tries to make you feel and truly understand what these people are going through visually. As they ingest and get high, you’re privileged to artistic representations of what they’re feeling. This was fantastic because this really helps drive the point home. You can just imagine these people slipping away and forgetting life behind them. All the while they’re forced to function in the real world, which of course is speeding (no pun intended) right along without them. This is why Ross lost his girlfriend, this is why Spider can’t ever seem to remember where he left his stash, this is why Cookie is so disgusting, on and on and on. It really linked the story to the characters and made it such a more memorable experience. Even the credits are done artistically. I thought it was so cool the way they had all the characters names done in a different style that matched their personalities; graffiti for instance or block or a drawing. It’s attention to details that most impress me and this was very attentive.

The third aspect that makes this film so great is the stellar acting by each and every single player on the field. John Leguizamo simply out did himself! So you’ll know, I am a fan so I might be a bit biased, but regardless, even if you’re not, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone else in this type of role that did it better than he did. He’s easily one of the reason’s my jaw hit the floor (keeping in mind I saw the directors cut). Mena Suvari also hit a new high/low (depending on how you look at it). She was simply sick and disgusting. Exactly what her role required. Remember folks that this is about heavy drugs and the people who use them. So what you see is a house in complete disarray. People who don’t bathe, don’t eat and spend every waking moment thinking of when and where their next hit will come from.

Next comes Brittany Murphy whom I was surprised (along with Mena) to see in this cast. She was great as the friendly, up beat, stripper girlfriend of Cook. She’s also a user and plays it well. The make up artists and set directors have to be applauded. Everyone looked disgusting. ESPECIALLY Frisbee (Patrick Fugit). Disgusting isn’t the word. He’s just plain spineless, imbecilic, trailer park trash who eats with his hands in his underwear while his overweight mother asks for more food as she’s watching TV naked. Disgusting. He was great. Mickey Rourke plays the burly Cook who loves strippers and hookers and even Eric Roberts makes the list as the main man in charge (his is a character you’re just not used to seeing him as. You’ll see.) Almost everything about this film will leave you in disbelief. You’ll wonder how they could possibly get away with some of the things they do, wonder how these legitimate Hollywood stars could possibly do what they did and leave you wondering above all: is that REALLY what it’s like? I’m SO never doing speed!

That by the way was the phrase my friend Nick Valentin coined as we watched it. For those nay Sayers who think these types of films promote drug use, you’ve only to see this film half way before it turns you completely off to the idea of drugs. It’s arguably a strong voice AGAINST drug use. Nick liked it just as much as I did and gives it a bugged out 3 ½ stars. “After seeing this movie I will not EVER use speed.”

Go see this if you enjoy risk taking movies who are envelope pushing and damn near head turning in artistic freedom and expression. Go see this if you enjoyed TRAINSPOTTING; it blows it out of the water. Go see this if you’re a fan of ANY of the afore mentioned actors; it’s a sure bet you’ve never seen them like this before. Do NOT go see this if extremely graphic scenes bother you or if you’re easily offended; you’ll be traumatized. Is it worth the $10 Manhattan price of admission? I’d pay in full then come back begging for more.

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