Love Object (2003)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Robert Parigi

Writer (WGA):

Robert Parigi (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2004 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Some people are just made for each other.

Plot:

The twisted tale of Kenneth, socially insecure technical writer who forms an obsessive relationship with "Nikki"...

Plot Keywords:

Office | Technical Writer | Internet | Sex Doll | Typist

Awards:

5 wins

Cast

Desmond Harrington	...	Kenneth Winslow
Melissa Sagemiller	...	Lisa Bellmer
Udo Kier	...	Radley
Rip Torn	...	Novak
Robert Bagnell	...	Martin
Brad William Henke	...	Dotson (as Brad Henke)
John Cassini	...	Jason
Camille Guaty	...	Counter Girl
Michael Peña	...	Ramirez
Edie Mirman	...	Saleswoman
Lyle Kanouse	...	Stan
Ellen Greene	...	Typing Supervisor
Opal Anchel	...	Doris
John Joseph Burns	...	Porn Clerk

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

Germany:84 min (Fantasy Film Fest) | USA:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | South Korea:18 | USA:R | Germany:18 | France:-16 | Italy:VM14 | Italy:VM18 | UK:18

Company:

Base 12 Productions

Trivia:

The film was shot in 18 days.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Kenneth is first holding the Modern Leisure Appliances postcard picture side up, we see on the underside some smaller pictures of different variations of the doll. When he turns it over, it bears only blank space and the MLA contact info.

Quotes:

Kenneth Winslow: Relationships come and go, but plastination is forever!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Nightmares in Silicone: Brian Penikas on Building 'Love Object' (2004) (V)

Loneliness, Obsession, Horror – A Potential Cult-Movie

In Los Angeles, the loneliness and efficient technical writer Kenneth Winslow (Desmond Harrington) is challenged to write three long technical manuals in a very short period. His boss Novak (Rip Torn) assigns the temporary typist Lisa Bellmer (Melissa Sagemiller) to help him in the task. In the office, Kenneth's colleagues show him an expensive rubber sex doll called "Nikki" in Internet, and Kenneth decides to buy it. When Nikki is delivered, the snoopy manager of his building becomes curious with the huge package. Kenneth reads Nikki's manual and uses the image of Lisa to give a sort of "personality" to the doll and he starts practicing kink sex and becomes obsessed with Nikki. Meanwhile, Lisa feels out of place in the office, Kenneth helps her and they get close to each other, having a love affair and the disturbed Kenneth gets rid off the doll. When Lisa finds Nikki's brochure in the volume one of the manual, the world of the twisted Kenneth falls apart and Kenneth becomes completely deranged with tragic consequences.

"Love Object" is an excellent weird tale of loneliness, obsession and horror, with a great screenplay and direction and a potential cult-movie. The dark story has a touch of David Lynch inclusive with some bizarre characters, like Kenneth and the owner of the sex shop. Desmond Harrington has a stunning performance developing perfectly his deranged and scary character. The extremely gorgeous Melissa Sagemiller is also great in the role of the insecure temporary employee that feels uncomfortable in the company with her colleagues. The surprising conclusion is a plus in this highly recommended movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Olhos da Morte" ("Eyes of the Death")