The Object of My Affection (1998)

49% of critics liked it
(49 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(40,109 ratings)

Nicholas Hytner (The Crucible) directed this Wendy Wasserstein screenplay, adapted from Stephen McCauley's novel, about the romantic mismatch of a gay man and a young pregnant woman. When literary agent Sidney Miller (Alan Alda) and his wife Constance (Allison Janney) have a dinner party,… More Nicholas Hytner (The Crucible) directed this Wendy Wasserstein screenplay, adapted from Stephen McCauley's novel, about the romantic mismatch of a gay man and a young pregnant woman. When literary agent Sidney Miller (Alan Alda) and his wife Constance (Allison Janney) have a dinner party, Constance's social-worker stepsister Nina Borowski (Jennifer Aniston) attends without her lawyer boyfriend Vince McBride (John Pankow). Also present are gay schoolteacher George Hanson (Paul Rudd) and his lover, Dr. Robert Joley (Tim Daly). George learns from Nina that he's being dumped by Robert, a scene ensues, and Nina then invites George to stay in the spare room of her Brooklyn apartment. Nina still has sex with boyfriend Vince, but during late-night talks, she begins to bond with her gay roommate. Nina and George take dance lessons at the local senior citizen's community center, and Gershwin's "You Were Meant for Me" sets the tone for romance as the two become soul mates. Unfortunately, shortly after their love blooms, Nina learns she's pregnant by Vince, who is no longer the object of her affections. Instead of telling the unwanted Vince right away, Nina asks George to join her in raising the child. George stays on, but in the months that follow, he also begins to see men again. Robert takes him along to a Connecticut conference where drama critic Rodney Fraser (Nigel Hawthorne) has Paul James (Amo Gulinello) in tow. George and Paul have an instant attraction, and this prompts everyone involved to reassess their emotional commitments. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Hytner
Written By: Wendy Wasserstein
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 17, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jan 8, 2002
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
The plot's hokey contrivances and the theatrical shtick tend to prevail over the sporadic moments of insight and emotional truth.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
The best romantic comedy so far this year.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
This comedy is content to enjoy the beguiling antics of Ms. Aniston, who is as skillful here as she is miscast, and to let its colorful minor characters give it a sitcom spin.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There is a movie fighting to get out of The Object of My Affection, and I like it better than the movie it's trapped in.
David Denby, New York Magazine
Paul Rudd is charming, and some of the scenes are intelligently written and played, but at a recent screening people on all sides of me were squirming in discomfort.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While some of the solutions are a little facile, the film nevertheless succeeds, due in large part to a luminous performance by Jennifer Aniston...
, Time Out
It never persuades you it belongs on the big screen.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
The Object of My Affection is one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in ages.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
At the core... is the college dorm debate question: Can a man and a woman live and love together without sex? The answers ... in a typical dorm room are ... as interesting...
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
This is a tale of difficult choices and wistful decisions, of trying to choose between two types of love when only one is possible. It is touching without being sappy, and beautifully photographed.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Wendy Wasserstein's script endows the story with equal measures emotional pain and romantic buoyancy...
Kristan Ginther, Boxoffice Magazine
The forgettable sum does not equal the formidable parts.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Consegue se sobressair em meio a uma enxurrada de romancezinhos 'água-com-açúcar' que têm sido produzidos nos últimos tempos.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
When confronted with a film as relentlessly PC and romantically feel-good as The Object of My Affection, you eventually have to succumb.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Portrait of a determined young woman's attempt to create her own unique extended family.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Suggests a Nacho Cerda exploitation piece scored by the world's most optimistic organ grinder.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
Although the movie maintains a certain level of interest, at times it feels thoroughly scattershot, especially in dealing with its characters.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

This glossy, unusual romantic comedy is great with the appealling cast including Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd.
Wildaly M

A pretty good movie, though I did feel a bit disappointed in the end but it was the proper way to end it I suppose. Good to watch if you're in the mood for something emotional I suppose.
Jeremy S

What starts out as a fairly basic story turns into a complex love story and then ends up as a mess.
Yinalí R

Cool movie.
Sylvester K

Interesting topic, kinda a love it or hate it film. It's really cute and Aniston's performance was great. It's just a cute little film to watch. The reference to singing in the rain blew me away!!!!! I love it
Sarah B

I'm a sucker for Paul Rudd. And romcoms. And films which star Friends alumni.
Lee K

i make a habit of seein anything starring paul rudd i find him hilarious, an alright movie
Leo L

A favorite.