X
  • 1994
  • Unrated
  • Fine Line Features
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 1994
  • Unrated
  • Fine Line Features
  • 1 h 40 m

Summary A critically acclaimed, outrageously offbeat look at growing up. Looking forward to a prestigious summer internship in Washington, D.C., pre-med college student Raymond (Davies) has his dreams put on hold when he's forced to stay at home caring for his invalid mother (Watson). Constantly harassed by his domineering, traveling salesman fa...

Directed By: David O. Russell

Written By: David O. Russell

  • 1994
  • Unrated
  • Fine Line Features
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 1994
  • Unrated
  • Fine Line Features
  • 1 h 40 m

Spanking the Monkey

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
66
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings
6.4
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Summary A critically acclaimed, outrageously offbeat look at growing up. Looking forward to a prestigious summer internship in Washington, D.C., pre-med college student Raymond (Davies) has his dreams put on hold when he's forced to stay at home caring for his invalid mother (Watson). Constantly harassed by his domineering, traveling salesman fa...

Directed By: David O. Russell

Written By: David O. Russell

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
66
73% Positive
11 Reviews
27% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
66
73% Positive
11 Reviews
27% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
A director with a more sensationalistic temperament might have milked this last section of the picture for melodramatic effect, but Russell's direction becomes, if anything, more brisk and more clipped.
By Hal Hinson FULL REVIEW
83
Davies registers believable frustration and deadpan teenage disengagement in equal measure.
By Lisa Schwarzbaum FULL REVIEW
80
It is also the sort of astonishingly fresh and self-assured work that can make a reputation.
FULL REVIEW
75
This is not a "nice" movie -- it deals with some pretty intense issues (like incest and suicide) -- but it is both bold and inventive, and works because of an unforced approach.
By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW
70
The movie is finally predictable, but it has connected with a generation that believes it has been saddled with the thankless job of raising its own parents.
By Richard Corliss FULL REVIEW
50
Even so, the film's incest theme seems more symbolic than literal in what is, at heart, a comedy about escaping the womb; throwaway gags are wicked enough throughout to keep the taboo plot twist from knocking this hit-and-miss black comedy off the track. [26 Jul 1994 Pg. 08.D]
By Mike Clark FULL REVIEW
40
The story is undoubtedly weird, but perhaps more so on paper than on the screen, since Russell and his actors have played it mostly straight in attempting to confer psychological validity on all the untoward developments.
By Todd McCarthy FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings
6.4
67% Positive
6 Ratings
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
11% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 9 User Ratings
6.4
67% Positive
6 Ratings
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
11% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Buckeye Films, Swelter Films
Release Date Jul 15, 1994
Duration 1 h 40 m
Rating Unrated
Genres
Tagline It's Time to Get a Grip on Yourself
View All Details

Awards

Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 2 Wins & 4 Nominations
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Nomination

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