nvalentino75
This was one of the best films I've seen in my life. I loved every moment of it. I really had no idea where the journey would end (as all journeys must) but it went in such a different direction than I originally thought. I love the literary allusions (which so subtly hint at what's to come) and I love the relationships that are built. This film felt more real to me than anything I've seen released in many years. The transformation of Paul Rudd's character (and indeed Paul Rudd himself) was startling, and Rachel Weisz was, as always, brilliant.I suddenly have a strong urge to perform in the stage version. Evelyn must be such a fun character to play!
Professor L. I. Gate
Has anyone ever told you a long involved joke that ends in a very weak punch line? You thought, "That story wasn't worth the time it took. It might have been a little funny if it hadn't taken so long." That's how this movie is, except it takes nearly two hours to get the equivalent realization. Even more the pity because the movie is a very good setup to probe an intriguing question: Not, how important is honesty in art, but how important is honesty in the creation of art? As it is, the middle of the movie is way too long for the ultimate point it is trying to make and somewhat frustrating because this big implied question is left unaddressed. It's a sophomoric let down, one of those movies where you get to the end and ask yourself, "That's it?" Neil LaBute fans will like this movie in any case, plus Rachel Weisz makes any movie better.
ametaphysicalshark
Until I watched "The Shape of Things" a few hours ago my only exposure to acclaimed modern playwright Neil LaBute were a few clips of Nicholas Cage's apparently horrible performance in LaBute's apparently abysmal remake of the unforgettable British horror classic "The Wicker Man". With my interest in theater, modern theater specifically, growing rapidly with every passing day, it was inevitable that I would sit down and watch a Neil LaBute film, one adapted from one of his own plays for the screen."The Shape of Things" is a further extension of my lucky streak with recent movie picks, as I have either really liked or loved all of my past six film viewings, and this film belongs in the latter group. A comedy so dark I felt guilty for laughing, a film so dramatically compelling and ultimately devastating that I was left literally close to tears by the end of it. It's easy to see how many could really, really hate this movie. It's cruel, misanthropic, bleak, its sense of humor is twisted, and it's really not 'fun' at all.Although I'm sure some will disagree, "The Shape of Things" is one of that rare breed of film I like to call the 'night-ruiner'. LaBute's screenplay, which is probably almost exactly the same as his original play, is a deft, clever, interesting examination of a number of things: friendship, how easily influenced we can be, how we perceive each other, the nature of art, and more, but works ultimately thanks to its emotional impact. A play (or screenplay) of this sort never amounts to anything if the characters aren't compelling and from start to finish these characters most certainly are. Adam is the lead character, played excellently by Paul Rudd in one of the more demanding roles he's taken on, and along with Gretchen Mol's character Jenny he's really the only decent character in the film. Frustratingly naive, but nice enough. All the performances are good enough for the material, and LaBute's direction is very basic but effective enough. I can definitely see how he could fail when taking on a bigger project not adapted from his own work, but I'll wait and see for myself.Sure, nobody's going to call this a masterpiece of subtlety anytime soon, but lots of great drama is in-your-face, and this is rich enough that when a character stands up and speaks to us for several minutes about some of the things the film is about it doesn't feel dumb or unnecessary, but fairly effective and interesting. There's other stuff the screenplay and the film doesn't shove in our face, and the last half hour probably works because it's so upfront about things. It's a very theatrical presentation, and probably works better in that setting, but the film is still a fast-paced, well-written, and fairly enthralling examination of human behavior and how we look at each other.
lady_jane34
Rachel shocked the heck out of me when she turned the whole story around and humiliated that poor man..i almost wanted to cry but then i almost wanted to do the same thing to my bf...hahah THe movie itself is funny an sad and deals with risking everything you have for love, which may seem like the right thing to do at the moment but when it really comes down to it, you've probably made the wrong choice...if you chose the girl or the boy over your friends...This movie makes you want to jump up after Rachel the artist flips you off with both fingers...i was actually scared she might actually jump out of the TV and said FOol You..EVeryone should watch this movie when they are feeling angry at their girlfriend or boyfriend...
