Spread

  • Review Date: August 13, 2009
  • R
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2009
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Sexy-but-shallow grifter dramedy is too mature for kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this mature Ashton Kutcher dramedy is an interesting take on beautiful L.A. and all its associated ugliness -- but it's definitely not for kids. Expect lots of fairly graphic sex scenes (including naked breasts and buttocks), some swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k"), and pervasive materialism (with all of the associated high-end labels). The lead character -- who's essentially a gigolo -- does go through a sort of reinvention borne out of a realization that what he has isn’t what he wants, but he's still not exactly what you'd call a role model.

  • Although the lead characters lead pretty vacuous lives in pursuit of superficial happiness, one of them appears to undergo an epiphany of sorts. Definitely sends some mixed messages about the importance and significance of sex, as well as what love means.
  • The lead characters are pretty selfish, opportunistic, and materialistic, though they all undergo a certain amount of change (some more than others). Sex is treated casually (the main character is basically a gigolo).
  • Two friends have a falling out; one throws the other’s belongings from a terrace, and they shout at each other. Couples argue, sometimes explosively. A woman slaps a man’s face.
  • Sexuality is a main theme of the movie, and there are explicit sex scenes throughout. Breasts and behinds are bared (sometimes in close-up), and couples are shown in various sexual positions. A man and woman bathe together. Fairly detailed discussion of a medical procedure known as vaginal rejuvenation.
  • Fairly frequent use of everything from “s--t” and "f--k" to “a--hole."
  • Characters are hung up on status symbols, including Mercedes Benz cars and Hermes, and will do pretty much anything to maintain a lifestyle that can support their consumerism/materialism.
  • Some characters smoke, and there’s a fair amount of drinking at parties.

What's the story?

Nikki (Ashton Kutcher) has found the key to survival in glamorous Los Angeles: He picks up older, affluent women and shacks up with them, romancing them as they support him. His latest conquest is Samantha (Anne Heche), a lawyer afraid of aging who’s willing to go along with his scheme. But when he meets a waitress, Heather (Margarita Levieva), who knows his game and -- more importantly -- plays it even better than he does, Nikki is smitten. But can they find real love?


Is it any good?

 

Hey, Ashton: Richard Gere called, and he wants his boy-toy role back. After all, he did it much more justice in American Gigolo. Though Kutcher gets major points for style and effort, there's little nuance to his performance. He's either callow or captivated when, really, he ought to be both. Still, he has charm, and it’s believable that women would house him, feed him, and keep him willingly, even if he has no job, no car, or no intent to commit. (His sexual prowess appears to be the main hook.)

Levieva is sexy, but Heche rules. She's one of those perfectly coiffed women who both age and don't age at the same time; their flawlessness is a dead giveaway that they'll go to any length -- even very delicate surgery -- to stay intact. Heche doesn't overplay; her character's desperation simmers until it boils, scalding on impact. SPREAD is entertaining enough -- it’s stylish and captures L.A.'s peculiar-yet-compelling allure -- but it doesn't have much to add to the cinematic conversation. And when it moves Nikki toward redemption, it loses the little edge it had. We don't much care if he changes or not, so what’s the point in cheering him on?


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays sex and relationships. Parents, if your teens watch, be sure to discuss the real-life consequences of sex, as well as your own family's values on the subject.

  • Why does Nikki do what he does? Is his life as enviable as it
    might seem to outside observers? Why does he start to struggle with
    himself?

  • What's the movie's take on society’s obsession with material trappings?
    Is this trend exaggerated for effect in the movie, or do you think this
    is really how some people live?


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Teen, 14 years old
March 21, 2011
 
wow
Spread is an alright movie but some of the sex scenes are like omfg. I saw it because I heard Ashton Kutcher was in it. It's not one oof the best movies but it is f*****g funny.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:Anchor Bay Entertainment
Director:David Mackenzie
Cast:Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva
Genre:Comedy
Run time:97 minutes
Theatrical release date:August 14, 2009
DVD release date:November 10, 2009
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:strong sexual content, nudity and language

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you see Spread?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it