Movie Notes: The Shape Of Things

August 11th, 2008

= 3 stars

Starring Rachel Weisz, Gretchen Moll, Paul Rudd
Directed by Neil LaBute

Synopsis

Security guard Adam (Paul Rudd) begins dating artist Evelyn (Rachel Weisz) after they meet in an art museum. Adam’s friend Philip (Frederick Weller) and fiancee Jenny (Gretchen Moll) watch Adam change as Evelyn takes control of their relationship.

The Good

• Drags initially, but steadily improves, due to increasingly disturbing plot developments and mesmerizing acting, Weisz in particular.
• Joining each scene is a snippet of an Elvis Costello song, often with an intended meaning (Love Field introduces a bedroom scene and Episode of Blonde a meeting between Adam and Jenny).
• A bracingly cynical, bleak ending, recalling The Cook, The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover as one character mentally destroys the other three.

The Bad

• As college students, the main characters place excessive importance on trivial things, and believe the subjects of their conversation is disproportionally profound. It’s a bit tedious.
• Never transcends its origins as a play — only four characters, an over-reliance on dialogue, and visually lazy direction.

Conclusion

The Shape Of Things contains four characters who are so realistic, they’re uncomfortable to be around. But the payoff for tolerating their presence is a crushing statement on superficiality in a romantic relationship. These characters are too selfish and full of themselves, making themselves unhappy and unable to love. For some, the way it comes about may be worth pushing beyond the first awkward half hour.

IMDB: The Shape Of Things
Wikipedia: The Shape Of Things
Rotten Tomatoes: The Shape Of Things 64%