Spin Me Round
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Talented cast in passable indie comedy; sex, language.

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Spin Me Round
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What's the Story?
In SPIN ME ROUND, Amber (Alison Brie) manages an Olive Garden-like chain restaurant called Tuscan Grove in Bakersfield, California. Amber's co-worker gives her the unexpected news that she's been chosen to attend a special corporate retreat in Italy for a select group of managers. Amber arrives and meets a group of fellow Tuscan Grove employees, including middle-aged Deb (Molly Shannon), who's distraught over losing her luggage; eager Dana (Zach Brooks), who idolizes CEO Nick (Alessandro Nivola); two attractive and carefree women (Debby Ryan and Ayden Mayeri); and former cooking-show contestant Fran (Tim Heidecker). After Nick makes an appearance to meet his staff, accompanied by his assistant, Kat (Aubrey Plaza), she invites Amber out for private meetings with Nick. Amber is flattered and starts to spend more time with Kat and fall for Nick, even as she realizes there's something sketchy about their interactions. Later, when other women in the group start to skip events and head out with Kat, Amber wonders whether the retreat is an elaborate ruse to lure women.
Is It Any Good?
Director Jeff Baena's ensemble is, individually, more talented than this uneven movie suggests, but there's just enough humor to make it worth watching. Brie is well cast (unsurprising, since she co-wrote the script) as the wide-eyed, lonely, and somewhat bored Amber. Her character arc is impressive as she grows from easy-to-manipulate retreat attendee to Pretty Woman-like transformed companion to a knowing, discerning woman. Plaza has long since mastered cool indifference, so her chain-smoking personal assistant Kat is intriguingly aloof and mysterious. Shannon is memorable as an awkward colleague who's clingy and moody, and Brooks is his usual brand of nerdy and self-deprecating. Nivola, who's one of Hollywood's most underused gifted actors, is perfectly smarmy as the handsome CEO who's looking to hook up with his young and attractive employees.
Given the cast's strength, it's a bit underwhelming that Spin Me Round doesn't commit to a particular tone. It's not quite parody, nor is it a straight or broad comedy. There are genuinely funny bits thanks to the cast's well-honed comedic skills, but the screenplay and the plot meander and underdeliver on the various themes (work trip gone wrong, #MeToo nightmare in the making, raunchy sex romp, etc.). And that lessens the impact of the otherwise satisfying ending. Baena has enough good will -- and loyal actors and friends who collaborate on his work -- to keep going with quirky comedies, but he'll need to finesse his pacing and focus his storytelling to make a truly great comedy with his Christopher Guest-like ensemble of regulars.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of travel movies. Do you consider Spin Me Round a tribute to cuisine and culture in Italy? What makes it different from other films about Americans who visit there?
How is sex portrayed in the movie? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and romantic relationships.
How does the movie explore the issues of sexual harassment, the #MeToo movement, and the way bosses treat female employees?
What character strengths do the characters display in the movie? Why are those strengths important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 19, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: January 17, 2023
- Cast: Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Molly Shannon, Alessandro Nivola
- Director: Jeff Baena
- Inclusion Information: Bisexual actors, Latinx actors
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Cooking and Baking
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Self-control
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: May 8, 2023
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