It
is so refreshing to watch a movie with
interesting adults having thoughtful
conversations.
You'd think there'd be more of
these films made each year. That's why I
appreciate Neil LaBute's (In The Company Of Men,
Your Friends and Neighbors) movies so much...
because they are rare treasures, intended for
adult minds, packed with originality and
intelligence. This film is no exception!
Based on LaBute's play, which ran in London &
New York City and featured the same cast of
actors, this screenplay tells the story of Adam
(Rudd) and his new girlfriend Evelyn (Weisz). As
they first meet, Adam is a frumpy and sloppy
student with insecurity issues and a penchant
for quipping unfunny jokes. Evelyn is the
definition of a rebellious artist who has no
inhibitions and has a controlling personality.
She gradually shapes Adam into a presentable
young man who is losing his prudish habits much
to the annoyance of his best friends, Jenny and
Phillip (Mol & Weller).
As can be expected in a LaBute film, the
characters drift to a controversial and powerful
crescendo that will have you steeped in thought
about the nature of the male/female dynamic and
all of its ramifications.
All four actors are magnificent. They completely
inhabit the characters, due in large part to the
fact that they performed the play every night
for over a year during the theatrical run. Paul
Rudd makes a stunning physical and emotional
transformation during the course of events. It's
a performance that deserves some Oscar
consideration. However, the best performance in
the film belongs to Rachel Weisz. She is easily
one of the most consistently masterful young
actresses of this decade. No matter what type of
film, Weisz is always interesting to watch.
Gretchen Mol and Frederick Weller have smaller
parts, but each is pitch-perfect. Mol is the
antithesis of Weisz. She is demure, shy,
elegant, conservative, subtle, kind, and pure.
It is a beautiful juxtaposition of characters
which is highlighted more and more as the film
progresses.
'The Shape of Things' also sports one of the
most memorable single shots in recent film
history. It occurs toward the end of the movie
and involves a breaking of the 'fourth wall'. A
character stares directly in to the camera lens
and leaves an impression that is simultaneously
powerful and hilarious. I would love to have an
enlarged screen-cell of that shot, framed behind
glass and hung in my living room. It is a
perfect cinematic moment!
This is easily one of the best films I will see
all year. It should make my Top Ten List for
2003. Neil LaBute has fashioned a perfect
compliment to his two previous efforts, In The
Company Of Men & Your Friends and Neighbors. All
three films are gorgeous examples of spectacular
screenwriting that deal with the cruel
complexities of modern-day adult relationships.
© Written by
TC Candler
Richard Propes' Comment
Neil Labute
is a master at creating films that give us
multi-dimensional characters involved in a
darkly comic yet nearly tragic situation that
builds to a deep crescendo then leaves the
viewer to interpret what has just happened.
Labute's previous films have included "In the
Company of Men" and "Your Friends & Neighbors."
This film, based on Labute's stage play,
features the same cast as the play...which is
readily apparent throughout the film. The cast
clearly identify with their roles and have a
wonderful chemistry.
Labute is able to create intelligent dialogue
and realistic situations that sort of hint at
the dark side & the light side of humanity
simultaneously. It's a challenging balance, but
Labute nearly always maintains it. Paul Rudd is
wonderful in the role of Adam, and does an
amazing transition from frumpy & insecure to a
fine young man. Also turning in a solid
performance is Rachel Weisz, and in smaller
roles Gretchen Mol and Frederick Weller.
Somewhat unexpectedly, I found the crescendo
predictable. Additionally, the pacing at times
was just a tad slow...and Weller's performance
at times felt almost like he was still in a
theatre. For these reasons, I cannot put this
film quite in the "A" range...however, fans of
Labute and fans of films featuring intelligent
dialogue with honest, authentic
characterizations should find much to love here.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
