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?