Spun

An impressionistic portrait of a bunch of crystal meth addicts, suppliers, and hangers-on, Spun tries frantically to be a spaced-out, visually overwhelming assault on the senses in the Trainspotting vein, but the pointlessly kinetic style quickly proves grating, and the substance of the movie is even worse. The dialogue is rife with obscenities, the characters are unremittingly loathsome, and the situations--which include one extended depiction of self-stimulation, a protracted toilet scene, and repeated shots of a struggling nude prostitute tied to a bed--exult in ugliness. Actors Jason Schwartzman, Patrick Fugit, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Mena Suvari, and Brittany Murphy are all terribly used, but in the final analysis it's John Leguizamo, ranting and raving as a wacko local dealer, who takes the palm for thespian degradation. Spun is apparently intended as a cautionary tale, but while drugs can be bad, this movie may be worse; do yourself a favor and just say no. Not recommended. [Note: Available in "R"-rated and "unrated" editions, DVD extras (labeled as “More Shit”) include two audio commentaries (one by director Jonas Akerlund and co-writer Creighton Vero; the other by producer Timothy Peternel and co-writer Will De Los Santos), five deleted scenes, an untitled music video, trailers, and TV spots (including a coarse “cooking show” spoof simulating drug cookery). Bottom line: a decent extras package for a flashy substance abuse film that's high on abuse and low on substance.] (F. Swietek)