Jeff Baena Wanted ‘Spin Me Round’ to Be Giallo Version of ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ with #MeToo Twist

Just when it seems every production under the sun seems to be jetting off to Italy, “Spin Me Round” writer-director Jeff Baena looked for another angle: to dismantle the fantasy facade of the romanticized nation, and then, well, spin it.

Baena’s “Spin Me Round,” which he co-wrote with lead star and frequent collaborator Alison Brie is part coming-of-age story and part slap in the face of the “expectation versus reality” memes, all wrapped up in a #MeToo mystery.In the film, which debuted at SXSW in March and is being released this week, Brie plays Amber, a manager at fast food restaurant Tuscan Grove, an Olive Garden insert, who wins a corporate retreat to Italy.

While her fellow top-earning managers are also attending the company seminars, Amber only has eyes for franchise founder Nick Martucci (Alessandro Nivola).Yet Nick’s assistant Kat (Aubrey Plaza) seems to be letting Amber

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