# Object of My Affection, The (1998)

### reviewed by
Jamie Peck

THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION Reviewed by Jamie Peck

Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****) 20th Century Fox / 1:52 / 1998 / R (sexuality, language) Cast: Jennifer Aniston; Paul Rudd; Alan Alda; John Pankow; Tim Daly; Nigel Hawthorne; Allison Janney; Amo Gulinello; Steve Zahn Director: Nicholas Hytner Screenplay: Wendy Wasserstein

The girls of "Friends" have made some very wise big-screen choices, establishing the beginnings of fine film careers for themselves should that hit sitcom of theirs ever tank. Courteney Cox's flashy turns in "Scream" and "Scream 2" won her raves, Lisa Kudrow's dumb blonde act fit "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" impeccably, and Jennifer Aniston's "Picture Perfect," while not as solid as her female co-stars' works, was agreeable, amusing fluff. But Aniston now joins their level with "The Object of My Affection," a tidy little romantic comedy-drama that's poignant, entertaining and, for the most part, pretty believable. In short, it's on a higher plane than the cookie-cutter, frothy fluff pieces that we've seen before, occasionally with other "Friends."

Aniston plays Nina Borowski, a New York social worker who strikes up an immediate friendship with gay schoolteacher George Hanson (Paul Rudd) when they meet at a dinner party one night. During the course of the evening, George's self-centered college professor lover (Tim Daly) dumps him for a student, so Nina offers the spare bedroom in her Brooklyn apartment to George. He graciously accepts, and the living situation seems ideal; even Nina's lawyer boyfriend Vince ("Mad About You"'s John Pankow) takes a liking to George. But before long, Nina unexpectedly finds herself amorously attracted to her roommate, and makes a surprise decision that puts a kink in her dilapidating relationship with Vince.

A large part of "Object"'s success is due to the performances of and chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd. Because there's quite a bit of emotional weight in the story, Aniston's required to show range, and that she does; those who think of her only as her indecisive "Friends" alter-ego might be surprised. Rudd ("Clueless") exudes bonafide charm -- he plays George as a three-dimensional person, not a two-dimensional stereotype. Director Nicholas Hytner, best known for "The Madness of King George" and "The Crucible," also deserves some of the credit. His genuine knack for depicting character dynamics -- watch "The Crucible"'s Daniel Day-Lewis and Joan Allen and take notes -- certainly doesn't hinder either actor, letting "The Object of My Affection" come off with a central relationship that's downright electric.

Despite these strengths, the story sometimes becomes a little hard to swallow in its dealings with vaguely-rendered Vince. Though ably performed by Pankow, Vince never quite turns into the superficial jerk that he at first seems to be, but, since he is a major participant in the film's conflict-heavy plot, matters would have improved if we were allowed to get to know him a little better; I questioned a few of his actions and reactions because I wasn't quite sure what was going on in his head. Some could also dismiss "The Object of My Affection" as too pat and sunny, but I think it's less that than the movie never loses sight -- even in its heavier moments -- of its upbeat cheerfulness. Pat, perhaps, but it's not contrived or manipulative like most romantic comedies.

A happy ending (but not the one you might expect) allows a few reassuring answers to those tough questions posed by the movie, thus capping off its satisfying meditation on the obstacles -- be they sexual orientation, heartfelt emotion or whatever -- that can affect platonic companionship for better or worse. And to further illustrate the importance of having friends, the filmmakers have gone one step further than just hiring one; they've widened their playing field to incorporate several priceless supporting roles, the apex of which is a sad theatre critic (Nigel Hawthorne, whom Hytner directed in "King George") who acts as a world-weary foil for Nina. Due in part to this nifty, character-emphasized focus, "Object" is more than worthy of its audience's affection.

© 1998 Jamie Peck E-mail: jpeck1@gl.umbc.edu Visit the New and Improved Reel Deal Online: http://www.gl.umbc.edu/~jpeck1/ "As my colleague Gene Siskel observed, ‘If the third reel had been the missing footage from Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons," this movie still would have sucked.' I could not have put it better myself." -- Roger Ebert on "Little Indian, Big City"

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