The Object of Beauty (1991)

77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
30% of users liked it
(1,511 ratings)

Michael Lindsay-Hogg wrote and directed this cool and sleek comedy about a seemingly perfect combination -- an American couple staying at a chic London hotel whose pride doesn't permit them to recognize that they are broke, and a hotel staff so brimming with proper British reserve that they can't… More Michael Lindsay-Hogg wrote and directed this cool and sleek comedy about a seemingly perfect combination -- an American couple staying at a chic London hotel whose pride doesn't permit them to recognize that they are broke, and a hotel staff so brimming with proper British reserve that they can't inform the American freeloaders they need to be paid. Jake (John Malkovich) and Tina (Andie MacDowell) are the American couple trapped in splendor at a London hotel after Jake's cocoa deal in a Third World County is stalled by revolutionary upheaval. Their plight is so dire they walk up the stairs to their luxurious suite rather than take the elevator and risk encountering the hotel manager. Hitting rock bottom, they take stock of their assets and find one -- a $50,000 Henry Moore bust. They decide to fabricate a robbery and collect the insurance money, but a deaf maid (Rudi Davies) has fallen in love with the bust and stolen it herself. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 12, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Jun 29, 1999
Studio: Live Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Dull romantic comedy, whose emptiness and not too likable protagonists keep things static.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Unfolding as a comedy of manners and a morality tale, the film is not preachy and there is no suggestion of redemption. The text may be slight but it's imbued with ambiguity--and entertaining too.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Diverting but slight comedy.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
The Object of a film is to entertain....this doesn't
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Witty comedy of manners about the gap between the worlds of rich Americans and a lonely hotel maid in London.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

This sporadically amusing comedy is made rather irritating by the way in which the actors clearly think they're being very funny.
Jennifer X

it was kind of boring. and andie mcdowell is a witch.
Anthony V

Wasted a great cast.

Cast

            John Malkovich as Jake

            Andie MacDowell as Tina

            Lolita Davidovich as Joan

            Rudi Davies as Jenny

            Joss Ackland as Mr. Mercer

            Bill Paterson as Victor Swayle

            Ricci Harnett as Steve

            Peter Riegert as Larry

            Jack Shepherd as Mr. Slaughter

            Rosemary Martin as Mrs. Doughty

            Andrew Hawkins as Gordon

            Wayne Bailey as Steve's Friend

            Massimo Burlini as Enrico

            Andy Cavenash as Steve's Friend

            Stephen Churchett as Mr. Mundy

            Ginger Corbett as Melissa

            Brian Coyle as Steve's Friend

            John Crocker as Waiter

            Liz Daniels as 3rd Portuguese Maid

            Olara de Almeida as 2nd Portuguese Maid

            Barry J. Gordon as Auctioneer

            Annie Hayes as Housekeeper

            Richard Ireson as Night Porter

            Stewart Miller as Steve's Friend

            Mario Nocerino as Italian Father

            Dillon O'Mahoney as Steve's Friend

            Roger Lloyd Pack as Frankie

            Colin Parker as Steve's Friend

            Jeremy Sinden as Jonathan

            Pip Torrens as Art Evaluator

            Victoria Willing as 1st Portuguese Maid
See full cast