Spun

Spun is a 2002 independent movie directed by Jonas Åkerlund and written by Creighton Vero and Will de los Santos. There are 20 producer/ co-producer credits. The film was shot in 22 days. This film holds the record for the most cuts per minute in a movie.^{[citation needed]} It includes more than 5,000 edits, a record.^{[citation needed]}

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Plot

The movie details the lives of individuals surrounding a methamphetamine cook, drug addiction, and the multitude of consequences that can result from drug abuse. The film’s title is a reference to the slang term for the way users feel after going multiple days without sleep while on a methamphetamine binge. This is Åkerlund's début as a film director after being better known for his work on music videos. The film includes appearances from Rob Halford of Judas Priest fame, Billy Corgan, China Chow, Tony Kaye, Ron Jeremy, and Deborah Harry.

Cast

• Jason Schwartzman as Ross
• Mickey Rourke as The Cook
• Brittany Murphy as Nikki
• John Leguizamo as Spider Mike
• Patrick Fugit as Frisbee
• Mena Suvari as Cookie
• Chloe Hunter as April Love
• Debbie Harry as The "Neighbor"
• Eric Roberts as The Man

Critical reaction

The film got mixed reactions, with some analysts remarking that the film added nothing new to the genre of drug movies. Time Out London was particularly harsh, accusing the film of "smug amoralism", and claiming that director Åkerlund simply re-uses other people's ideas and techniques.^[1]
Roger Ebert was more empathetic in his review, where he described the film as having "effortless wickedness". His main appraisal is the fact that the film in no way attempts to romanticise any of the characters. He does, however, explicitly mention the similarities between this and the earlier Requiem for a Dream.^[2]

Trivia

• 'Spun' Producer Danny Vinik's arm is used in the scene where John Leguizamo's character 'Spider Mike', shoots-up Methamphetamine.
• On the outside of Spider Mike's house the words "Phantom Planet" can be read, in spray paint. This is Jason Schwartzman's band. Also in one scene in the car with the cook, a Phantom Planet song is being played on the radio.
• The wrestling scenes The Cook is watching in the motel room are from Juggalo Championship Wrestling.
• Director Cameo: Jonas Åkerlund Hippie bumming a quarter at the bus station.
• There is a cameo from Billy Corgan, who wrote and recorded some of the songs for the film. He is the doctor with blonde hair who examines Frisbee at the hospital.
• The videoclip Frisbee watches is Mother North by Norwegian Black Metal band Satyricon.
• Cameo: Ron Jeremy is the bartender at the stripclub
• The porn shop worker is Rob Halford, lead vocalist of Judas Priest.

Soundtrack

The original music for Spun was written by Billy Corgan. The soundtrack to the film also features songs by popular artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Blues Traveler, Phantom Planet, and Satyricon.

Production crew

Danny Vinik
Chris Hanley
Timothy Wayne Peternel
Mark Boone Junior
Fernando Sulichin
Newmarket Films

References

1. ^ Spun film review. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
2. ^ Spun Review. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.

See also

• Requiem for a Dream (2000) - similar film, in both content and visual effects, directed by Darren Aronofsky dealing with heroin and other drugs, rather than methamphetamine.