The Shape of Things (2003)

Quiet, unassuming Adam is changing in a major way, thanks to his new girlfriend, art student Evelyn. Adam's friends are a little freaked by the transformation.

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers:

Neil LaBute (play), Neil LaBute (screenplay)

Stars:

Gretchen Mol, Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gretchen Mol	...	Jenny
Paul Rudd	...	Adam Sorenson
Rachel Weisz	...	Evelyn Ann Thompson
Frederick Weller	...	Phillip

Storyline

While visiting an art museum, a nerdy college student named Adam meets an iconoclastic artist named Evelyn and is instantly smitten. As their relationship develops, she gradually encourages Adam to change in various ways that surprise his older friends, Jenny and Philip. However, as events progress, Evelyn's antics become darker and darker as her influence begins to twist Adam and his friends in hurtful ways.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | student | art | museum | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Seduction Is An Art

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 November 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Forma das coisas

Filming Locations:

California State University Channel Islands - One University Drive, Camarillo, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$173,246 (USA) (9 May 2003)

Gross:

$732,241 (USA) (13 June 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mepris Films, Pretty Pictures, StudioCanal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Rudd lost 25 pounds for the film.

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Goofs

In the park scene where Adam and Jenny kiss, Adam's nose looks normal (Paul Rudd's real nose), but at this point he hasn't had the surgery yet. The surgery happens in the next scene, so his nose shouldn't have been normal in the park scene.

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Quotes

Evelyn: The only thing that would help him is a knife right through his fucking throat.

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Connections

References The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Lipstick Vogue"
Written by Elvis Costello
Performed by Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Courtesy of Demon Music Group, Ltd., by Elvis Costello
By Arrangement with Rhino Entertainment Co. and Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Cruel and Heartless Tale of Seduction and Manipulation

Adam Sorenson (Paul Rudd) is a simple, insecure and shy student that works half period as a security guard of a museum and in a rental. He meets the anarchist and transgressor student of Arts Evelyn Ann Thompson (Rachel Weizs) trying to paint a penis in an important statue, and after arguing with her, in the end they schedule a dinner. Evelyn becomes his girlfriend and he introduces his best friends, Jenny (Gretchen Mol) and Phillip (Frederick Weller), to her. As long as they stay together, Adam's behavior changes and his appearance and confidence improve influenced by Evelyn. He has an affair with Jenny, betraying and lying to Evelyn and to Phillip, and destroying their friendship. When Evelyn presents her thesis for the Master degree, Adam is surprised with revelations.

When I saw the cruel "In the Company of Men" in 1997 or 1998, I became a great fan of Neil LaBute. However, his next good movies have never been in the same level of his debut. In "The Shape of Things", Neil LaBute is in shape again and presents a magnificent cruel and heartless tale of seduction and manipulation. I felt the same surprise as Adam with the plot point of the story, which is a great study of human behavior, with excellent performances of Rachel Weisz and Paul Rudd. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Arte, Amor e Ilusão" ("Art, Love and Illusion")