Focus Features is, to say the least, a great contribution to art as we know it. I've seen one other film from this company, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and all I have to say is that it's a relief to finally be able to not excuse cinema (these days anyway) for its complete lack of anything resembling substance, on the grounds that it's "just a film, made for entertainment." Although these films are entertaining, mindless joy is not their primary purpose. I applaud them, and I only hope they go far in their ways, which is, ironically, taking a chance. The Shape of Things is a rendition of a play I would love to see someday, and its very visible in the way the characters interact with each other. Only four people were cast, each brilliantly capable in their roles, and even more impressive, their chemistry with each other is almost intimidating. The way an argument develops in one scene is like a kettle whistling, tense and so natural; just as in ESotSM, I would expect to see someone talking to me like that, rather than on a movie screen. The strongest point of this film, however, is its message. Delivered in a way that's meant to irate the audience, its so completely true to life that you almost don't want to agree, even though you can't deny the power of its words. *SPOILERS--PLEASE DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE SEEN THE FILM, OR YOU'LL BE KICKING YOURSELF AFTERWARDS*
One character's actions were definitely immoral, so blatantly and openly wrong, in fact, that I don't think anyone is actually excusing her behavior. The film pushes this as well; it doesn't attempt to defend her in the slightest, exposing all her motives and her lack of concern for others very openly. However, I don't really think this is the point they're trying to convey. Regardless of how "questionable" Adam was becoming, dropping his friends, forgetting his own judgment and goals, unnecessary plastic surgery, etc., he was becoming more of an acceptable looking person; handsome, attractive, that it didn't really matter what kind of person he was (though he was still innately good), because society puts so much importance on the physical--on the shape of things. She disliked Phillip very much because he couldn't be molded like that: he wouldn't bend to her wishes or accept her beliefs in "radical art" lightly. He was the one who challenged her from the very beginning, and was a threat to her whole art thesis. This film gives one a lot to think about, and taking a look at our society, where a person can acheive fame simply by their looks alone, it is definitely more (and more worth your time) than the average Hollywood fluff. If you're looking for substance in a movie, highly recommended.
One character's actions were definitely immoral, so blatantly and openly wrong, in fact, that I don't think anyone is actually excusing her behavior. The film pushes this as well; it doesn't attempt to defend her in the slightest, exposing all her motives and her lack of concern for others very openly. However, I don't really think this is the point they're trying to convey. Regardless of how "questionable" Adam was becoming, dropping his friends, forgetting his own judgment and goals, unnecessary plastic surgery, etc., he was becoming more of an acceptable looking person; handsome, attractive, that it didn't really matter what kind of person he was (though he was still innately good), because society puts so much importance on the physical--on the shape of things. She disliked Phillip very much because he couldn't be molded like that: he wouldn't bend to her wishes or accept her beliefs in "radical art" lightly. He was the one who challenged her from the very beginning, and was a threat to her whole art thesis. This film gives one a lot to think about, and taking a look at our society, where a person can acheive fame simply by their looks alone, it is definitely more (and more worth your time) than the average Hollywood fluff. If you're looking for substance in a movie, highly recommended.
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