The Shape of Things (2003)

A quiet, unassuming man begins to change in a major way as a result of meeting a new, art-student girlfriend, and his friends are unsettled by the transformation.

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers:

Neil LaBute (play), Neil LaBute (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, Gretchen Mol

1 nomination.

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:

evil woman | manipulative person | manipulative woman | cruelty | menstrual blood | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the original New York stage production of this play, Frederick Weller was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his performance.

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Goofs

In the park scene where Adam and Jenny kiss, Adam's nose looks normal, but at this point he hasn't had the surgery yet. The surgery happens in the next scene.

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Quotes

Adam: Next you're going to tell me that the handkerchief with the strawberries on it is missing!
Evelyn: I don't know that reference.

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Connections

Referenced in Delocated: Pilot (2009)

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Soundtracks

When I Wass Cruel No. 2
Written and Performed by Elvis Costello
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited (London)

User Reviews

A brilliant piece of modern film-making.

Terrifying but so true tale about the way people can control us and the reasons we just let them do it. Rachel Weisz is amazing as art student who makes changes to a lonely guy who just wants to fit in. The story in true Neil Labute fashion takes a macabre turn and makes you question everything that you have done in your relationship and gives you a well deserved punch in the stomach in the reality department as well. The acting is beyond top of its game with Rachel Weisz proving once again to be one of the most talented and gifted actresses of our generation. Her performance is beyond brilliant and she single handily carries this movie on her shoulders with her performance. Paul Rudd, Fred Weller and Gretchen Mole do great work as well and Neil Labute proves once again to be a profound playwright of uncanny wisdom of the evil that resides in the human heart.

I do hope that Weisz and Labute work together again.

Details

Country:

USA France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Shape of Things

Filming Locations:

Point Fermin Park - 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$173,246, 11 May 2003

Gross USA:

$735,992

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$826,617

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