The Object of My Affection (1998)

Please don't spend money on this.

best movie i've ever seen.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

One of those films about the relationship between a straight woman and a gay man, "The Object of My Affection" tells of Nina Borowski (Jennifer Aniston) and George Hanson (Paul Rudd), best friends whose affections know almost no limits. The story is infused with the music and words of "You Were Meant for Me"--sung variously by Gene Kelly, Audra McDonald, and Sting. It's a fitting theme, romantically suggesting that perhaps a higher power or fate ordains there is one perfect match for every person. And that we cannot deny what is written in the stars. But Nina and George are somewhat confused by what the stars are telling them.Both characters are, at turns, bedeviled by confusion and/or guilt as their joint path veers from one route to another. The two actors are convincing, in a romantic-comedy way; this is not "Sophie's Choice" after all. But a tenderness pervades the film and will touch the hearts of many viewers.For fun, watch for young Hayden Panettiere in her first film appearance.

Nina Borowski (Jennifer Aniston) counsels at risk girls. George Hanson (Paul Rudd) teaches little kids. His boyfriend Dr. Robert Joley (Tim Daly) dumps him and he moves in with Nina. They would make for the perfect couple if he isn't gay. Nina has an overbearing boyfriend Vince McBride (John Pankow). Everybody continually keeps trying to fix them up with people despite their resistance. When Nina gets pregnant, Vince gets on her nerves, and they break up.There is some edgy possibilities here. The problem is that it's handled like a sitcom. Paul Rudd is gay but he's barely allowed to kiss a guy for most of the movie. He does some naked spooning late in the movie but it's not anything more than PG-13. Apparently, the movie gets R for just talking about it so why be so tame? It's trying to be a subversive rom-com. The only thing subversed is this movie. This might as well be a straight up rom-com with the meek silently-pining best friend. That would be better. At least, it doesn't promise to be more than a bland conventional rom-com. Quite frankly, the movie plays it that way most of the time. Aniston and Rudd have good possible straight chemistry. Maybe he should have said bi because he doesn't really sell gay.

I have not seen too many truly great romance movies. The Object of My Affection is one of the best. The complexity of emotions involved was mastered brilliantly and smoothly by both Aniston and Rudd. This is especially true as Nina begins falling in love with George and George is torn in the midst of powerful, conflicting impulses. The confusion and exasperation of Aniston's sometime-boyfriend is well-acted, too. What could easily have been a clumsy and tawdry movie is instead a lively, genuine, informative and inspiring classic that teaches us all many lessons about life. The acting, direction, production and screen writing are all exemplary.

Gay Robert Joeley (Tim Daley) more or less throws boyfriend George (Paul Rudd) out of the house. George moves in with str8 Nina (Jennifer Aniston). They get along great until Nina gets pregnant from boyfriend Vince (John Pankow). However she doesn't want to live with Vince--she wants George to live with her and bring up the baby. He initially agrees--but then Nina gets jealous if he tries to have a boyfriend!I saw this back in 1998 and had no idea if I liked it or not. Seeing it again I now know why--this is entertaining but simplistic and dumbed down. I'm no fan of the original novel but it was a lot grittier and concentrated more on George than the movie. But--Aniston was more well known than Rudd so this movie is now all about her and totally ignores any of the more interesting aspects of the novel and makes the characters more accessible. This is the kind of movie where a teacher and a social worker can easily afford a HUGE beautiful apartment in Brooklyn. Also it's suggested (in a truly horrendous scene) that Rudd COULD switch from guys to her. Speaking as a gay man I can tell you--it doesn't happen. You don't just switch back and forth. Still--for 1998--that's probably as far as a studio would go. Also a kiss between Rudd and another man was cut out so it wouldn't offend str8 audiences! (Although him and Amo Gulinello have a few cute little kisses). Still, if you can ignore that, it's OK.It has a good cast and acting helps. Aniston is very good in her role. Rudd is totally miscast as a gay man (I never believed him for one second) but he's not bad. Nigel Hawthorne and Gulinello are excellent as a gay couple. Daley is interesting (and hot) as George's ex. Alison Janney is just hysterical as Ansiton's sister. And it was fun to see Stephen Macht (The Spirit himself) in a bit as an ex of George! The movie looks good and has a nice music score too. So it's not even close to treating its subject seriously but it works as fluff. I give it a 7.