The Shape of Things 2003
Directed by
Neil LaBute
Made by
Focus Features
Plot Summary
Adam is a student majoring in English Literature at Mercy College, a fictional institution in the Midwest, yearning for excitement beyond his mundane routine of classes and studying. His life takes a drastic turn when he unexpectedly meets Evelyn, a captivating graduate art student, at the local museum where he is employed. This chance encounter fills Adam, the socially awkward and nerdy student, with flattery when Evelyn expresses interest in him.
Under her influence, Adam embarks on a new lifestyle that includes a rigorous exercise regimen, a healthier diet, and the switch from glasses to contact lenses. These initial transformations earn him praise from his friend Phillip and his girlfriend Jenny. However, as time progresses, Evelyn persuades Adam to undergo plastic surgery and convinces him to sever ties with Phillip, Jenny, and all his previous friendships, asserting that she is his only true friend.
As their relationship deepens, Adam decides to propose to Evelyn, who readily accepts. But the climax reveals a shocking truth: Adam has unknowingly been a part of Evelyn’s Master of Fine Arts thesis project. Throughout the film, Evelyn refers to her project involving the instruction to “change the world,” ultimately deciding to reshape “someone’s world”—specifically, Adam’s. She has been “sculpting” him into a more desirable version of himself.
Evelyn’s true nature surfaces when she unveils Adam to an audience of students and faculty, branding him her “creation,” which leaves him deeply embarrassed. It becomes evident that her affection for him has been insincere; their romantic moments were merely documentation for her project. At the opening of her gallery, Evelyn announces to a live audience that she will not marry Adam, revealing that the engagement ring was merely part of her art exhibit.
Devastated and humiliated, Adam confronts Evelyn, seeking an explanation for her betrayal. With chilling indifference, she tells him he should be thankful to her for making him more appealing and interesting in the societal landscape. Finally realizing the true colors of the manipulative Evelyn, Adam rejects her. Evelyn coldly remarks that there was never a relationship to end.
In the poignant conclusion, a heartbroken Adam finds himself alone amidst the remnants of his previous life. His former friends, Philip and Jenny, also condemn him, refusing to forgive his abandonment. In a moment of introspection, he views a segment of a camcorder tape from earlier in the film, replaying the moment when Evelyn whispered what she called the singular truth of their relationship. The film concludes with Adam continuously rewind, listening to her words, trapped in the echoes of what was once a false promise.
Timeline
Introduction of Adam
Adam, a student majoring in English Literature at Mercy College, leads a mundane life filled with classes and studying. His yearning for excitement reflects his socially awkward personality and the limited scope of his experiences.
Meeting Evelyn
Adam's life takes a drastic turn when he meets Evelyn, a captivating graduate art student, at the local museum where he works. This chance encounter sparks a newfound interest from Evelyn that flattens Adam, making him feel special for the first time.
Transformation Begins
Under Evelyn’s influence, Adam begins transforming his lifestyle. He adopts a rigorous exercise regimen and a healthier diet, switching from glasses to contact lenses, resulting in positive feedback from his friend Phillip and girlfriend Jenny.
Severing Old Ties
As their relationship develops, Evelyn convinces Adam to undergo plastic surgery and to cut ties with Phillip, Jenny, and all his old friends. Adam, enamored by Evelyn, follows her advice, believing it will fulfill his desire for a fresh start.
The Proposal
Deepening his feelings for Evelyn, Adam decides to propose to her, excited about taking their relationship to the next level. Evelyn gladly accepts his proposal, further immersing Adam in the illusion of their love.
The Shocking Truth Unveiled
The climax reveals that Adam is nothing more than a subject in Evelyn's Master of Fine Arts thesis project. This shocking truth is revealed during her exhibition, where she shares her goal of reshaping someone's world, specifically Adam’s.
Evelyn's Public Announcement
At the opening of her gallery, Evelyn publicly declares that she will not marry Adam, stating that the engagement ring was part of her art exhibit. This humiliates Adam in front of an audience comprised of students and faculty.
Confrontation with Evelyn
Devastated by her betrayal, Adam confronts Evelyn, seeking answers for her deceitful actions. Evelyn coldly responds that he should be grateful for the transformations she made, emphasizing her role in his newfound appeal.
The Reality of Their Relationship
In a chilling moment, Evelyn reveals that there was never a real relationship between them, emphasizing her manipulative nature and the lack of genuine affection throughout their time together. This realization hits Adam hard.
Isolation and Reflection
After his humbling experience, Adam is left alone, grappling with the consequences of his decisions. His former friends, Phillip and Jenny, condemn him for abandoning them, leaving Adam with a sense of profound isolation.
Introspection Through Memories
In a moment of introspection, Adam plays back a segment of an earlier camcorder tape that features Evelyn whispering the single truth of their relationship. As he rewinds the tape, he becomes trapped in the echoes of what he thought was a genuine connection.
The Final Embrace of False Promises
The film concludes with Adam repeatedly rewinding the tape, trapped in his memories and the disillusionment of what he believed to be love. His pain is palpable as he realizes the depth of Evelyn’s manipulation and his own misguided hope.
Characters
Evelyn (Rachel Weisz)
Evelyn is a captivating and ambitious graduate art student whose influence over Adam leads to a radical change in his life. While initially appearing supportive, her true intentions are revealed to be self-serving, as she utilizes Adam as a subject for her artistic expression. Her cold demeanor and manipulative tactics showcase a complex character driven by ambition rather than genuine affection.
Adam
Adam is a socially awkward English Literature student who longs for excitement and validation. His initial transformation, spurred by his relationship with Evelyn, leads him to confront painful truths about love and self-identity. Ultimately, he is portrayed as a victim of manipulation, highlighting the vulnerabilities inherent in seeking approval and connection.
Phillip (Fred Weller)
Phillip is Adam's friend whose loyalty becomes strained as Adam's relationship with Evelyn deepens. His attempts to support Adam reveal the tension between genuine friendship and romantic manipulation, ultimately showcasing the repercussions of Adam's choices on his social connections.
Jenny
Jenny is Adam's girlfriend who becomes collateral damage in his relationship with Evelyn. As Adam distances himself from her, Jenny's character highlights the emotional fallout of manipulation and the importance of authentic relationships.
Setting
Location
Mercy College, local museum
Mercy College, a fictional institution located in the Midwest, serves as the backdrop for Adam's journey of self-discovery and manipulation. The local museum is a significant location where Adam's life changes dramatically upon meeting Evelyn, symbolizing the intersection of art and personal transformation.
Themes
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Manipulation
The theme of manipulation is central to Adam and Evelyn's relationship, highlighting how Evelyn orchestrates Adam's identity for her artistic project. This emotional controlling behavior raises questions about authenticity and personal choice, ultimately revealing the darker aspects of relationships masked as love.
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Betrayal
Betrayal permeates the narrative as Adam discovers Evelyn's true intentions behind their relationship. Her insincere affection and the public revelation of their engagement as an art exhibit culminate in profound personal hurt, emphasizing the painful consequences of deceit.
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Transformation
Transformation is a recurring theme, embodied by Adam's physical and emotional changes under Evelyn's influence. However, the superficial nature of these changes reveals deeper consequences, as Adam's quest for self-improvement becomes a tool for manipulation rather than genuine growth.
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