The Object of Beauty

Plot

Jake and Tina have taken up residence in a London hotel, living way beyond their means. He is a commodities broker whose shipment of cocoa beans is tied up by a Third World country's revolution. She is a woman with extravagant tastes who is still technically married to Larry, her first husband.

The two of them are so broke that when it comes time to pay for a dinner at the hotel, Jake hands a credit card to the waiter and prays that it won't be canceled. A pair of hotel executives, Mercer and Swayle, repeatedly make attempts to confront Jake and Tina about their growing unpaid bill.

Only one object stands between the couple and total insolvency. That is a tiny sculpture by Henry Moore that was given to Tina by her husband as a gift. But just as she and Jake hatch a scheme to pretend the object is stolen and collect the insurance on it, a deaf housekeeper, Jenny, decides to steal it for herself.

After she steals it Tina and Jake get upset. Then Jenny's brother decides to take it and sell it, but nobody will buy it and he ends up losing it. Jenny searches with her brother and find it in a heap of rubble. Jenny returns it then steals it again and when the insurance company comes she hands it over. Jake and Tina auction it off later and are able to pay for everything and go on vacation.

Cast

John Malkovich as Jake

Andie MacDowell as Tina

Lolita Davidovich as Joan

Rudi Davies as Jenny

Joss Ackland as Mr. Mercer

Bill Paterson as Victor Swayle

Ricci Harnett as Steve

Peter Riegert as Larry

Jack Shepherd as Mr. Slaughter

Rosemary Martin as Mrs. Doughty

Roger Lloyd-Pack as Frankie

Andrew Hawkins as Gordon

Pip Torrens as Art evaluator

Stephen Churchett as Mr. Mundy

Annie Hayes as Housekeeper

Richard Ireson as Night porter

Barry Gordon as Auctioneer

Jeremy Sinden as Jonathan

Ginger Corbett as Melissa

John Crocker as Waiter

Victoria Willing as Portuguese maid #1

Lara De Almeida as Portuguese maid #2

Liz Daniels as Portuguese maid #3

Andy Cavenash as Steve's friend

Wayne Bailey as Steve's friend

Colin Parker as Steve's friend

Stewart Miller as Steve's friend

Brian Coyle as Steve's friend

Dillon O'Mahoney as Steve's friend

Massimo Burlini as Enrico

Mario Nocerino as Italian father

Reception

The film received fairly positive reviews from critics. It currently holds a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.