Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
'90s romcom about nontraditional family; cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Object of My Affection
What's the Story?
In THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION, 30-something social worker Nina (Jennifer Aniston) doesn't love her boyfriend Vince (John Pankow), the man who made her pregnant, but she does love her gay best friend, George (Paul Rudd). When his boyfriend dumps him, George moves in temporarily to Nina's place and they develop a loving friendship so deep that George agrees to raise Nina's child with her. Nina, it turns out, has truly fallen in love with George. George falls for another man, throwing their friendship into chaos as well as their plans for joint parenthood. Loose ends are tied up effortlessly into the film's neat ending.
Is It Any Good?
Featuring two of the most likable screen presences around, Rudd and Aniston, this movie transcends its mostly pedestrian story, giving it a giant leg up on the watchability scale. There's no need for a spoiler alert with a film that from the opening minutes is moving obviously toward a happy ending. The wrap-up feels contrived and unrealistic, but satisfying in that lots of seemingly nice people turn out to be, if not entirely happy, at least reasonably satisfied with their lives. The movie shows its age at times, but parents can remind teens that The Object of My Affection came out before gay marriage was legal and it was rarer to see gay couples raising families.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what "family" means. What is a family? Do marriages with biological offspring define what a family is, or do the intentions of the parties involved define it?
Why do you think Nina's plan to raise her child with a gay man wasn't going to work?
How is The Object of My Affection dated, and how is it still relevant?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 17, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : January 8, 2002
- Cast : Jennifer Aniston , Paul Rudd , Nigel Hawthorne , Alan Alda , Allison Janney , Tim Daly Amo Gulinello
- Director : Nicholas Hytner
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Genre : Romance
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for strong language and some sexuality
- Last updated : May 30, 2020
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