Starz / Anchor Bay / 2009 / 97 mins / Rated R
Blu-ray Release Date: 11-10-09
Reviewed on 11-06-09

Take two cups American Gigolo, three teaspoons Pretty Woman and a dash of Prizzi’s Honor and you come up with Spread, Ashton Kutcher’s comedy that examines the life of Nikki... a heartless sexual grifter freeloading his way around Los Angeles with nothing but the shirt on his back and dreams of sleeping with pretty women.
 
But this Breakfast at Tiffanys wannabe gets more than he bargained for when he meets his latest conquest, Samantha (played by Anne Heche), a middle aged attorney with a rockin’ body and money to play with.  With a roof over his head and a hot new Mercedes, you’d think Nikki hit the jackpot...
 
... that is until he meets and falls for Heather (played by Margarita Levieva) a gorgeous waitress who is playing the same game.  As the sparks fly and the two fall in love, Nikki must decide if he can live on his own once and for all in the hopes of finding something real.  It’s the boy-whore meets girl-whore love story.
 
Produced by Ashton himself, clearly some will draw conclusions between the May December relationship in his real life romance with Demi Moore in this racy soft-core comedy.
 

 
The trailer for Spread is far more titillating than the movie itself for the simple reason the premise sounds better than the reality.  What guy wouldn’t give in to the sweet life of partying all day... and bedding hot women all night in exchange for what we already enjoy doing?
 
The problem is, there are very few of us who could actually carry out that fantasy—which is why its probably better left in the land of fantasy.  Kutcher, who clearly is physically able to carry off the gigolo role, unfortunately isn’t given enough wit or charm to rise above mere smarm factor once ensconced into the world of selling yourself for sex.  Add to that a romance with another woman facing the same dilemma, and the Ick Factor raises considerably.
 
The world of prostitution has been fodder for some terrific comedies in the past.  Spread is unfortunately not in that club.  Although, you can’t fault the filmmakers for delivering plenty of eye candy... all it manages to muster is a sugar rush and empty stomach.

 

VIDEO
The 1080p, Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation 2:40:1 is feature quality, though it’s obvious the producers must have expected this might be a rapid-to-dvd effort.  At times, shots look like this is a low budget independent, l while others feel like you’re watching an overly steamy Lifetime movie.
 
AUDIO
Dolby Surround sound 5.1 with Spanish Subtitles.  Again, as with the video, it does the job serviceably but without anything -- including a soundtrack -- that’s worth noting.
 
EXTRAS
LIVING THE DREAM – a ‘making of’ documentary
THE WORLD ACCORDING to Nikki – get inside the head of a gigolo.
BEHIND THE SCENES with Ashton Kutcher
AUDIO COMMENTARY with Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche and Margarita Levieva
 
MY SAY
Go buy Breakfast at Tiffany's.  For the curious or ardent Kutcher fan, this makes for a mildly entertaining ninety minutes... but probably not something you’ll be tempted to watch more than once.  Unfortunately, it’s not even bad enough (as Showgirls was) to become a kitchy guilty pleasure in the future.