Parents' Guide to Spin Me Round

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.