The Shape of Things

Name: The Shape of Things
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: May 9, 2003
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Fred Weller, Frederick Weller, Gretchen Mol, Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz

2003

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 82 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 82 Ratings

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The Shape Of Things

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: May 9, 2003 | R

Starring: Fred Weller, Frederick Weller, Gretchen Mol, Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz

Summary: Writer/director Neil LaBute once again explores and explodes modern relationships in this contemporary story of love, sex and art set in a college town. (Focus Features)

Director: Neil LaBute

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

LaBute is coming of age as an artist, and his future looks brighter than I ever would have suspected a year ago. Enfant terrible or not, he's starting to become a substantial figure in American film. Read full review

Roger Ebert

LaBute has that rarest of attributes, a distinctive voice. You know one of his scenes at once. His dialogue is the dialogue overheard in trendy mid-scale restaurants, with the words peeled back to suggest the venom beneath. Read full review

Mark Caro

LaBute never loses sight of what shape he wishes this crafty story to take. In the end, his aim is true. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Though the writing is often sharp, one is reminded repeatedly by the actors' theatrical delivery of some lines and by the confined settings that the movie's origins were on stage. Read full review

Kevin Thomas

Unfortunately, this film is not as convincing as LaBute's first feature ("In the Company of Men"), for it betrays its origins in the theatricality of its dialogue, resulting in an aura of artificiality. Read full review

David Denby

LaBute's didactic purpose kills any possibility of frivolous entertainment. [19 May 2003, p. 94]

Kimberley Jones

If LaBute wants to plumb the depths of human unkindness, have at it -– only dig deeper next time. Read full review

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User Reviews

HumbertoD.

Jan 16, 2006

In response to Takoma, this film is not about feminism, at least that's how I interpreted it. I haven't read reviews so I don't know what the critics are saying about it. How I interpreted it, this film is about art, in its most pure form. At the end of the movie there is a In response to Takoma, this film is not about feminism, at least that's how I interpreted it. I haven't read reviews so I don't know what the critics are saying about it. How I interpreted it, this film is about art, in its most pure form. At the end of the movie there is a quote by Han Suyin. As you may recall it said, "Moralists have no place in an art gallery." I have mixed feelings about the quote itself, as it was popularized by the movie and not by the intensity of it's words. That aside, it is what the movie is about. She defaces the statue and has a fight about "true art" with Phillip (Fred Wellery) during the exposition of her character. She views art in different ways. Morals and feelings for other individuals aside. This movie is about how artists are constantly being criticized. Right here, on this website, we are critiquing the works of actors, directors and producers. One has to put their morals and views aside and appreciate the art for what it is. It's a complicated concept summarized by the quote by Suyin. I gave the film a seven because it could have been better. The films drags a bit and the climax is really the ending.… Expand

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mess888

Dec 7, 2012

Disturbing and interesting at the same time, it's a brilliant comedy that shows many human interactions from every perspective, not all of them are equally interesting and characterized. The movie sometimes lack stronger performances but a superb Rachel Weisz shadows others weaknesses. I wasDisturbing and interesting at the same time, it's a brilliant comedy that shows many human interactions from every perspective, not all of them are equally interesting and characterized. The movie sometimes lack stronger performances but a superb Rachel Weisz shadows others weaknesses. I was surprised but the movie flowed smoothly guided by a convincing plot till the sharp and stunning end.
I highly recommend the lover of this genre to watch it.… Expand

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