Universal's November '09 Releases

Spread (November 18/09)

Featuring one of Ashton Kutcher's most impressive performances to date, Spread casts the actor as Nikki - a charismatic boy-toy who proudly jumps from one bed to the next with such frequency that he doesn't even have a home of his own. Though he's got a good thing going with his latest conquest (Anne Heche's Samantha), Nikki begins to question his shallow existence after meeting (and falling for) a similarly less-than-ethical twentysomething named Heather (Margarita Levieva). It's an intriguing premise that's initially employed to above-average effect by director David Mackenzie, as the filmmaker does a superb job of imbuing Jason Hall's low-key screenplay with impressive bursts of style (ie an unbroken take that winds its way through a hopping Hollywood party). The inherently fascinating nature of the central character's hedonistic lifestyle certainly plays an instrumental role in capturing (and sustaining) the viewer's interest, with Kutcher's note-perfect work ensuring that Nikki consistently comes off as a compelling, thoroughly believable figure (and it's also worth noting that the actor doesn't shy away from sporadically infusing Nikki with far-from-likeable attributes). There's consequently little doubt that the unapologetically aimless atmosphere never quite becomes as problematic as one might've anticipated, although it's hard to deny that the movie does start to run out of steam as it progresses into its increasingly conventional third act. The inclusion of an unexpectedly poignant finale ensures that Spread concludes on a high note, however, and it ultimately goes without saying that the film remains worth a look primarily for Kutcher's magnetic central performance and Mackenzie's striking visual sensibilities.

Mildly entertaining and utterly innocuous, Wild Child follows wealthy Beverly Hills teen Poppy (Emma Roberts) as she's sent to a British boarding school after her father (Aidan Quinn's Gerry) grows tired of her self-indulgent antics - with the bulk of the proceedings subsequently revolving around Poppy's ongoing efforts at getting kicked out of the exclusive establishment. It's due primarily to Roberts' consistently affable work that Wild Child ultimately fares as well as it does, as the actress successfully manages to bring her exceedingly spoiled character to life without quite crossing the line into obnoxiousness (which is certainly no small feat, given the degree to which Poppy has been infused with narcissistic attributes). The pervasively predictable midsection is accordingly not as problematic as one might've expected, with the palpable chemistry between Poppy and her newfound friends (and enemies) generally compensating for the proliferation of less-than-innovative elements (ie a trying-on-clothes montage). The movie manages to sustain its agreeable vibe right up until around the one-hour mark, after which point the viewer is hit with barrage of woefully melodramatic plot twists that are exacerbated by Lucy Dahl's increasingly illogical script (ie Poppy, having made friends and struck up a tentative romance, is clearly enjoying herself yet she persists in her attempts at getting expelled). There's nevertheless little doubt that Wild Child remains a watchable endeavor that's often buoyed by Roberts' irresistibly enthusiastic work - with the pleasant atmosphere perpetuated by an impressive supporting cast that includes Aidan Quinn, Shirley Henderson, and Natasha Richardson.