Object of Beauty, The (1991) – Nostalgia Central

Overprivileged American couple Jake (John Malkovich) and Tina (Andie MacDowell) are stuck in the yuppie 80s. They love their Giorgio Armani wardrobes and Manolo Blahnik shoes.

The trouble is that Jake, a commodities broker, has just lost a bundle. Now he and Tina are unexpectedly broke in a chic London hotel. They’re even considering eating in.

The two stars prove to be a smashing romantic match. Malkovich’s intelligence suggests unplumbed depths beneath Jake’s slick veneer. And MacDowell, freed from the constraints of a confection like Green Card, shows a liberating flair for sexual high jinks – she’s developing into a dazzling comic actress.

Writer-director Michael Lindsay-Hogg sets up the conflict in the form of a small Henry Moore bronze. The piece (called ‘Head on a Bone Base’ and borrowed for the film) belongs to Tina. It’s worth $35,000. Jake wants to sell it. Tina doesn’t.

When the piece disappears, Jake thinks she’s hidden it, and Tina thinks he’s hocked it.

In fact, the sculpture has been stolen by the hotel’s deaf chambermaid (Rudi Davies), who merely wants to bask in the object’s beauty.

When Jake and Tina let their mutual suspicion lead to deception, Lindsay-Hogg serves up a fizzy Noel Coward cocktail with a dash of Harold Pinter bitters.

Produced as part of the BBC’s Screen Two anthology, The Object of Beauty is a shrewdly observed, intoxicating romance that makes emotional maturity a witty proposition.

Jake
John Malkovich
Tina Oates
Andie MacDowell
Joan
Lolita Davidovich
Jenny
Rudi Davies
Mr Mercer
Joss Ackland
Victor Swayle
Bill Paterson
Steve
Ricci Harnett
Lawrence (Larry) Oates
Peter Riegert
Mr Slaughter
Jack Shepherd
Mrs Doughty
Rosemary Martin
Frankie
Roger Lloyd Pack
Gordon
Andrew Hawkins
Art Evaluator
Pip Torrens
Mr Mundy
Stephen Churchett
Housekeeper
Annie Hayes
Night Porter
Richard Ireson
Auctioneer
Barry J. Gordon
Jonathan
Jeremy Sinden
Melissa
Ginger Corbett
Mark
Cole Parker
Enrico
Massimo Burlini

Director
Michael Lindsay-Hogg