|
The
Object of My Affection (1998)
The problem with "The Object of My Affection" is that
is just doesn't always work. Sometimes it the fault
of the director, Nicholas Hynter, and sometimes it's
the fault of the script by Wendy Wasserstien, and sometimes
it's the actors on the screen.
The first place it doesn't work is when gay George
(Paul Rudd) moves in with sweet Nina (Jennifer Aniston).
Were supposed to believe these two are just coming together
and have no history and therefore they don't even really
know each other when they get together. It's kind of
ridiculous, in a way, that we are expected to believe
they would just move in together even though it is pretty
clear that they are both in low paying jobs and that
George needs a place to stay. Has he no other friends?
The next scene that doesn't work is when Nina breaks
it off with her boyfriend Vince, played by John Pankow
(Ira on TV's "Mad About You.") Pankow says a lot of
stuff that we don't believe from his character. It's
quite awkward. And the film continues to bounce between
sweet and sentimental and unrealistic until the ultimate
wrong scene happens, and Nina and George begin to make
out. I suppose this is realistic - but it seems to ring
untrue here. What is he? Gay? Bi? Straight? A closet
heterosexual? We are unsure for a little while.
Aniston and Rudd do their best here but sometimes
it isn't good enough. Aniston isn't Rachael (the character
on TV's "Friends") but she's pretty close. There are
moments when we think she is quite a wonderful actress.
I guess it is usually the script that lets her and us
down. Rudd is a little too wishy-washy even though his
character is at times as well. Rudd is sweet but we
want something stronger and more sure. Those moments
where he does become in control of his destiny are the
best and are quite interesting.
The rest of the cast do their best with the material.
It is nice to see Alan Alda here although he is not
called upon to do anything new. The same can be said
for Allison Janney who plays his wife and Aniston's
sister. Timothy Daly (TV's "Wings") plays a gay guy
apparently because Steven Weber did the same in "Jeffery."
Steve Zahn, unfortunately has no chance to do anything
interesting as Rudd's straight womanizing brother.
The truly wonderful performances here come from Nigel
Hawthorne, who was in Hynter's debut "The Madness of
King George," and newcomer Amo Gulinello as a couple
whom George meets. Hawthorne gets the ultimate line
in the film (which includes the title phrase) and shows
a remarkable maturity which gives the film much depth.
Meanwhile, Gulinello is so romantic it makes all the
gay guys in the place, including Rudd's George, swoon.
The problem with "The Object of My Affect" is that
it treads to toughly on gay male sensibilities. Rudd's
George almost begins a sexual relationship with Nina
even though he is supposedly gay. Eventually, he steals
a young man away from his much older platonic boyfriend.
He comes across very poorly here. Both as unsure of
his sexuality and uncaring about how his actions affect
others. Sometimes, though, I guess people in love do
that. In the end of this film, unlike life, all is somehow
forgiven.
Note:
Also with Marilyn Dobrin as the Dance Teacher, Bruce
Altman, Antonia Rey, and Daniel Cosgrove (Scott Chandler
on TV's "All My Children") as Trotter.
From the novel by Stephen McCauley.
Music by George Fenton.
Stephen Baldwin was replaced by Pankow after one day
due to creative differences. One wonders how much Baldwin
might have improved the film.
Filmed in Connecticut and New York.
Songs by Sting and Gene Kelly. Desree's song "You
Gotta Be" is sung by children at the films end.
The budget of the film was 15 million.
Review written in 1998
Report
Card
Script:
C-
Acting: B
Cinematography\Lighting: C
Special Effects\Make Up: C
Music: A+
Final
Grade: C+
|
