SPREAD

US, 2009, 97 minutes, Colour.
Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva, Rachel Blanchard, Maria Conchita Alonso.
Directed by David Mackenzie.

Spread is a film about a twentysomething, unemployed, idling in New York, being subsidised by women for whom he is a toy boy. Ashton Kutcher seems to fit this role quite well. Anne Heche appears as the major woman who employs him. Margarita Levieva portrays a waitress with whom he falls in love – but who also disillusions him.

The film is interesting only if the characters mean something to the audience. The way the film is written, very much for an audience in its twenties, may not appeal much beyond that particular niche audience. It is the familiar story of the playboy who eventually has some kind of experience that jolts him back into reality – but in 21st century Los Angeles this will not be fulfilled. The film is an American film by British director David Mackenzie (Young Adam, Asylum, Hallam Foe).

1. Audience interest in the characters? Situations? Amoral–moral point of view?

2. The Los Angeles settings, ordinary Los Angeles, affluent Los Angeles? Mansions and apartments? Clubs? Diners? How realistic? Musical score?

3. The voice-over from Nikki? Talking about the easy life – and it all coming true for him? His personality, his appearance, his dress, the braces? The bizarre colours? Flaunting an image? His relationship with women, their falling for him, his meeting them afterwards, remembering or not? The parties? His friend Harry and their discussions, urging Harry on, Harry and his criticisms, breaking with Harry? His encounter with Samantha, her leaving the party, coming on to her? Her succumbing? Their life together, the sexual relationship, idle, in the pool, ordering breakfast, cooking? Her going away and trusting him? His having other women, his being caught? Her reaction to him, the on-and-off relationship, their using each other? His plea when he was kicked out? The character of Samantha – the forties Los Angeles businesswoman with everything she wanted, and expecting it? Her later toy boy?

4. Nikki, wandering, the encounter with Heather, coming on to her, her resisting him? Their meetings, talking, the relationship? The revelation of the truth about her? Her boyfriend, the encounter, engaged, married? Nikki and the effect of Heather on him? Discussions, wanting to change? Going to propose? How genuine? The disillusionment to find that she was married?

5. The young woman who gave good advice, his discussions with her, a sensible anchor for him?

6. The other characters, the people of Nikki’s own age, their lifestyle, partying? The older women? Clients?

7. A picture of Los Angeles – part of the underside? The perspective and the moral tone? Moral issues and judgments?