The Object of Beauty

"Love is more than dollars and sex."

Apr 12 1991 R 1h 43m
Comedy, Crime, Drama

American couple Jake and Tina are living in an expensive London hotel above their means, incurring a sizeable debt. When they are asked to pay a lavish dinner bill and Jake's card is declined, he suggests they sell Tina's tiny, expensive Henry Moore sculpture to cover the debt. After they hatch a scheme to claim the sculpture was stolen in order to collect insurance on it, the sculpture mysteriously goes missing.

Plot

Two Americans living sumptuously abroad find their relationship challenged by an unexpected lack of finances. When Jake, a commodities broker, is unable to pay the bills (due to a dock strike that holds up a cocoa shipment), he suggests that Tina (sensuous, beautiful and still married to another man) file an insurance claim on her 'little Henry Moore' in order to help pay their bills. Tina balks. The statue is her only source of security, all that she owns in the whole world. Does he realize what he's asking of her? Then, the statue simply disappears. Circumstances become more dire and questions emerge. Can Tina trust Jake? Can Jake trust Tina? When things spin out of their control, each is forced to reckon with doubt-doubt of themselves, doubt of each other and doubt of the strength of their bond. As it is with love, "to some people, cocoa is very scary." The story that unfolds is sensuous, understated, witty and elegant-a true 'Object of Beauty.'

Written by

Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Directed by

Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Production Countries

United Kingdom, United States of America

Production Companies

Avenue Pictures, BBC

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
2,480
Average Rating
5.6 out of 10
Metascore
58
Popularity
NA