Love Object (2003)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Robert Parigi

Writer (WGA):

Robert Parigi (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2004 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Some people are just made for each other.

Plot:

The twisted tale of Kenneth, socially insecure technical writer who forms an obsessive relationship with "Nikki"...

Plot Keywords:

Office | Internet | Technical Writer | Sex Doll | Typist

Awards:

5 wins

Cast

Desmond Harrington	...	Kenneth Winslow
Melissa Sagemiller	...	Lisa Bellmer
Udo Kier	...	Radley
Rip Torn	...	Novak
Robert Bagnell	...	Martin
Brad William Henke	...	Dotson (as Brad Henke)
John Cassini	...	Jason
Camille Guaty	...	Counter Girl
Michael Peña	...	Ramirez
Edie Mirman	...	Saleswoman
Lyle Kanouse	...	Stan
Ellen Greene	...	Typing Supervisor
Opal Anchel	...	Doris
John Joseph Burns	...	Porn Clerk

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

Germany:84 min (Fantasy Film Fest) | USA:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | South Korea:18 | USA:R | Germany:18 | France:-16 | Italy:VM14 | Italy:VM18 | UK:18

Company:

Base 12 Productions

Trivia:

Melissa Sagemiller twisted her ankle while running towards the door during the embalming scene.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The statue that Lisa hits Kenneth with bounces slightly when it falls on the ground, obviously made of rubber.

Quotes:

Kenneth Winslow: Relationships come and go, but plastination is forever!

Movie Connections:

References The English Patient (1996)

Even women sex dolls don't like to be two-timed...

Love Object received an incognito release a few years back, and this is unfortunate as what we have here is a film that takes a very basic idea (albeit one that I've not seen used before) and crafts and inventive and somewhat frightening little film out of it. The only film really similar to this that I can think of is Lucky McKee's oddball gem 'May', which seems to be gaining more and more fans all the time; and this makes Love Object's releasing all the more unfortunate, as this is a film that could definitely win itself a dedicated cult following. The film focuses on Kenneth Winslow - he's an everyday guy with an everyday sort of job at a place that prints instruction manuals. His life takes a turn one day when his co-workers introduce him to Nikki - a lifelike doll on sale on the internet for a whopping $10,000. He decides to buy the doll, and after becoming acquainted with it - quickly falls in love. However, he's also starting to get on with his lovely female co-worker...and this 'upsets' his $10,000 plastic love object, leading to the emergence of a strange love triangle.

Going into this film; I was worried that the plot might not be able to stretch the running time - but there's enough else going on to ensure that Love Object doesn't become boring. The production values are high considering that this obviously wasn't a big budget film, and the acting is also rather good. The central performance is delivered by a shy looking Desmond Harrington, and he has good chemistry with his female co-star, Melissa Sagemiller. To the cult fan, however, the most interesting performance in the movie comes from Udo Kier - and while he's not really given the opportunity to make a big mark on the film, it's always good to see him. Rip Torn also plays a part, and along with Kier; makes the movie more memorable. Director Robert Parigi gets the audience into the film because the people in it are largely very realistic; the leads aren't overly good/bad looking and they don't have unlikely jobs, so the film is easy to get on with for normal people who have never spent any time with a sex doll. The film seems like it should have a point...but if there is one, I couldn't detect it. "Don't have sex with a rubber doll" is about the best I can do on that front. However, the film is interesting throughout and ends with a good twist...so Love Object definitely comes recommended.