The Object of My Affection (1998) starring Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, John Pankow, Timothy Daly, Allison Janney, Alan Alda, Nigel Hawthorne directed by Nicholas Hytner Movie Review

The Object of My Affection (1998)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Jennifer Aniston in The Object of My Affection (1998)

Not Objectionable

It's not often that a movie leaves me flummoxed but "The Object of My Affection" has certainly done that. It is not that I didn't enjoy it, the combination of Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd make a good "odd couple" and the story of a woman having feelings for her gay flatmate is also good. But it sort of meanders along in a neutral sort of way, never really sparking in to life which makes it a bit of an under whelming experience.

When George (Paul Rudd - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers) is unexpectedly dumped by his boyfriend he ends up moving in with his new friend Nina (Jennifer Aniston - Picture Perfect) who isn't bothered by the fact he is gay. Her boyfriend Vince (John Pankow) also doesn't mind that he is gay but wonders why Nina didn't ask him to move in with her. But Nina and George get on well, so well in fact that when she falls pregnant with Vince's child she decides she would rather raise the child with George. But with this their circumstances, feelings and relationships become much more complicated.

Paul Rudd in The Object of My Affection (1998)

The most appealing thing about "The Object of My Affection" is the pairing of Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd as both deliver this sweet nice guy/girl next door thing. They are both easily likable and whilst some of the things they do together, such as the dancing lessons are cheesy, you sort of champion them as an odd couple. Because George and Nina are just likeable characters it allows the other cast to do the comedy with Alan Alda and Allison Janney providing the best of the laughs.

But the trouble is that whilst we have this amusing storyline which sees the odd living situation and relationship between George and Nina it kind of lacks passion. It meanders along and down some interesting avenues when it comes to their relationships both together and with others but I just wanted someone to light a match under its butt to make it spring into life. Maybe because it starred Anniston and Rudd my expectations lead me to think it would be bubblier and sharper but the end result almost feels laboured.

What this all boils down to is that "The Object of My Affection" is a charming enough odd-couple romantic comedy with nice performances and in fairness a nice storyline but it does lack passion as it meanders along at a lethargic pace.


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