THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION (R)
Directed by Nicholas Hytner Running Time: 111 minutes Originally Released: April 17, 1998
Reviewed by E. Benjamin Kelsey
* * ½ (out of four)
THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION stars "Friends"' Jennifer Aniston as Nina Borowski, a social worker who falls in love with gay school teacher, George Hanson (CLUELESS' Paul Rudd). After a disheartening breakup with his boyfriend, Dr. Robert Joley (Timothy Daly), George finds himself moving in with Nina, a woman he barely knows but quickly bonds with, becoming best of friends. Things run relatively smooth until Nina discovers she is pregnant and realizes she wants much more of George than simple friendship. Convinced George could make a much better parent than arrogant biological father, Vince (John Pankow, best known as Ira on "Mad About You"), Nina struggles with the realization that George will probably never love her the way she has come to love him.
If the plot vaguely reminds you of last year's CHASING AMY, that's because it *is* vaguely like CHASING AMY, but the two are approached differently enough (and not just thru opposite gender roles) that THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION never feels like a phony impersonation. The two films are distinct, most notably the fact that OBJECT is a million times more "commercial", disregarding the highly risque sexual observations and potentially offensive dialogue that AMY thrived on. In fact, OBJECT deals with the homosexuality issue much more discreetly than most "gay" movies. For the most part, the character of George avoids the stereotypical clichés that could've turned his character into a running gag as opposed to a genuine, caring persona. Rudd's subtly sweet performance also gives George the right level of boyish charm without becoming emotionally manipulative.
Aniston effortlessly proves here that she is the most talented of the "Friends" sextet with yet another praiseworthy performance, outshining her PICTURE PERFECT run. Sincerely conveying her character's struggle, Aniston makes a good lead - both sweet and beautiful to gaze upon. With the rest of the cast performing at top notch (particularly Alan Alda and Nigel Hawthorne in smaller roles), it is obvious the flaws held by THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION lie within the story, not it's transference to the screen. It's a shame that a film with so many delectable one-liners tucked snugly into its script allows for so many misfires in way of development. To speak vaguely so as not to "spoil" the film, why are some things revealed that are nearly contradicted by the whole premise? Why do they even show up when they will just as soon be abandoned, leaving the audience highly justified with their notice of such an obvious frailty?
It is OBJECT's good intentions and easy approachability that make it a likely winner with most audiences. The film would not have suffered any if George was a heterosexual who simply didn't return Nina's affection, but the homosexuality "gimmick" (to put it a bit vulgarly) puts an even greater spin on things. The ending worked well, allowing for happy resolutions all around - something the audience is likely to ponder the likelihood of from the get go. The audience I was in attendance with even broke into a round of applause with one of the redeeming surprises. And so, while a tune-up could be appreciated, THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION is a conventionally unconventional film that will gain the affection of most movie goers.
April 17, 1998
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