Jeff Baena directs Alison Brie, Alessandro Nivola and Aubrey Plaza in this dark comedy where a chain restaurant star employee wins a corporate retreat to Italy.

Two of the foxiest, funniest comedic actresses currently working in an undefinable throwaway nothing. I’ve seen middling reviews and low averages for this and I can only assume that is because Spin Me Around is sold as a romantic comedy but really is nothing of the sort. It is funny, there are relationships you invest in and want to see consummated but the main target seems to aim at constant feeling of unease. Squirm and cringe. Part mystery, part broad comedy it plays out like a budget White Lotus season crammed into a sprightly unpredictable low key 90 minutes. Almost exactly the kinda film that if it came out in 1987 you might record it off the telly as the third selection on a long play stretched blank tape. The unknowable, unresolved quality of it making you revisit Spin Me Round more often than The Naked Gun and Dragnet. The ensemble make it. What does the title even mean? Surely not just the fate of a microwaved meal? A fantasy during a work lunch break while your food reheats?

7

Perfect Double Bill: Horse Girl (2019)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/