The Shape of Things

The Shape of Things is a 2001 play by American author and film director Neil LaBute and a 2003 American romantic drama film. It premired at the Almeida Theatre, London in 2001 with Paul Rudd as Adam, Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, Gretchen Mol as Jenny, and Fred Weller as Phillip. The play was directed by LaBute himself. According to the authors instructions, it is to be performed without an interval or a curtain call.

When Adam Sorenson Paul Rudd, an English Literature major at Mercy, a fictitious Midwestern college, meets Evelyn Ann Thompson Rachel Weisz, an attractive graduate art student, at the local museum where he works, his life takes an unexpected turn. Never having the best success with women, he is flattered when Evelyn shows an interest in him and, at Evelyns suggestion, begins a regular exercise regimen, eats healthier foods, dresses more stylishly, acts more confident and dominant, and purchases contact lenses. These initial changes regarding Adams physical appearance are well received by Adams friend, Phillip Frederick Weller, and Phillips fiancee, Jenny Gretchen Mol. Jenny takes such a liking to Adams new physique that she makes a move on Adam and the two share a passionate kiss. It is left ambiguous as to whether or not Adam and Jenny have sex. Later, Evelyn cajoles Adam into undergoing plastic surgery and succeeds in persuading him to cut himself off from Phillip and Jenny, whose relationship she ruins.Eventually, Adam learns that he has been part of Evelyns MFA thesis project, a topic often mentioned in conversation but never fully explained. Evelyn presents Adam to an audience of students and faculty as her creation, announcing that she had been instructed to change the world by her graduate adviser, but that she had chosen to change someones world instead. Her work consisted of sculpting Adam into a more attractive human being. Accordingly, none of the feelings she has shown him throughout the film are genuine at no stage in their relationship has she fallen in love with him her videotapes of their lovemaking are simply part of the projects documentation. She also announces that she is not going to marry him and the engagement ring he offers her is simply one of the exhibits of her art installation, the capper to my time at Mercy. ........

Source: Wikipedia