Love Object; The story of a man and his love doll. There's not much more that I can say in an instance like this other than WOW! How's that for insightful criticism? When I first heard about Love Object being in the Danger After Dark series, I was extremely intrigued from the synopsis and really looking forward to it. It sounded like it was going to have such a high creep factor that I figured how could we go wrong? I was really looking forward to the screening, but at the same time I was braced and ready to expect the worst. I mean after all, this is an independent production from the US, so I definitely had my doubts. What I got was so much more than I ever could have anticipated, I was literally dumbfounded and stupefied by the end credits roll…that's a good thing by the way.

Love Object tells the story of Kenneth (played by Desmond Harrington) an introverted young man who certainly isn't one who's much for interpersonal communication. Kenneth works as a manual writer and is on the verge of accepting a huge account with a tight deadline from his overbearing boss (played brilliantly by Rip Torn). Along with the account comes a new assistant. At first Kenneth is against the help from his new typist Lisa (played by Melissa Sagemiller) until he begins to develop a strange interest in Lisa that seems to confuse even Kenneth himself.

Kenneth is an odd young man. He doesn't seem to have any friends and spends most of his time alone in his very drab apartment or deep within the bowels of a local sex shop. It isn't until Kenneth orders a $10,000 lifelike(?) love doll that the creep factor really starts to rise, I mean up until now Kenneth is no stranger than say our very own Michael Johnson! In any event, Kenneth models the doll after the lovely Lisa and once the doll arrives (in a terrifically entertaining scene by the way) Kenneth doesn't seem to know what to do with it. Well, that's not entirely true, he does have sex with it almost immediately (wouldn't you?) but afterwards it's just plain awkward (for the both of them), and he even goes so far as to try and return it (ewwwwwww!). Once Kenneth actually reads the instruction manual (which is just chock full of sicko ideas) he then sees the true potential that his newfound mail order friend can deliver.

Kenneth takes notice of the things that Lisa likes and transfers these characteristics over to his love doll (referred to as Nikki now). Kenneth develops primarily what one would consider to be an unhealthy relationship with Nikki going so far as to dress her, eat dinner with her (she has her own food) and even having intimate conversations with her. Eventually Kenneth goes so far as to build a bizarre fetish and bondage set up in the apartment, gaining the unwanted attention of his nosy landlord, who really likes to spy and be spied on himself (brilliantly played by Udo Kier).

Things only go from bad to worse as Kenneth unexpectedly develops a relationship with Lisa (she's the live one...remember?) and is unable to separate the inanimate Nikki, from the very animated Lisa who is doe-eyed and ready to roll. The problem is Nikki seems to have a mind of her own, as she appears to move freely around the apartment showing up in the most unexpected of places. Kenneth finds it increasingly difficult to hide Nikki from Lisa and those that seem to constantly surround him. Kenneth's dementia slowly takes hold and eventually when he realizes that he may not be able to have either Nikki or Lisa, well, let's just say that he snaps and worlds just begin to crumble all around him.

I'm giving you just enough here without giving away too much because the brilliant progression of Love Object is just part of the fun(?) that this feature evokes. This film is sickly disturbing and there are likely to be many moments to find you squirming in your seat. There is much to like about Love Object with very little to dislike so let's just give it a quick rundown.

This is essentially a character driven piece. If we don't believe these characters' motivations and actions, Love Object would just fall flat on its face. It's really easy to take subject matter like this and have it appear as overly comical or camp-like. This isn't the case here. Desmond Harrington (who looks like a young Tom Cruise straight out of his Risky Business days) is fantastic as the just creepy enough Kenneth. He's not an over the top psycho killer. He's an everyday guy with an everyday job, probably the least likely candidate for this kind of meltdown. There's a logical progression to his dementia and it's a slow and fascinating process to watch. When we first meet Kenneth we see him as an introvert and nothing else. Perhaps if he put forth a little effort he could even make some friends and "fit in". This isn't the case by the end of the film, because at this point we fear for Kenneth as well as fearing of Kenneth, he's a whole 'nother guy at this point.

Equally impressive is Melissa Sagemiller as the naïve and all too trusting Lisa. Lisa manages to go through a miraculous transformation as well, from the trusting girl next door to the embittered victim who may just have enough oomph left in her to give a fight back. Supporting characters are equally filled out as well from Kenneth's co-workers who play with his naivety (comically introducing him to Nikki in the first place) to the spectacular aforementioned performances provided by Udo Kier and Rip Torn.

First time director Robert Parigi has crafted an incredibly impressive feature. Made for a modest budget (just under a million dollars), Love Object is a great stylistic cross between the best that both David Cronenberg and Brian DePalma have to offer (among many others). This is a sicko film with subject matter that is likely to make just about everyone's skin crawl. Parigi has deviously snuck in some bits of ironic humor that helps to lighten the mood just a bit, but just as you're about to crack a smile of nervous laughter, your heart tells you to stop because you know deep down inside that it shouldn't be funny. Love Object is a beautiful portrait of a deteriorating mind and it's some disturbing cinematic fun that I truly enjoyed immensely. Anyone who saw One Hour Photo and liked it really needs to see Love Object, because this is how it's really done. We certainly have a front-runner for festival favorite, in my book this one is going to be tough to beat. Keep an eye out for Love Object folks, highly recommended.

Thumbs Up. Hollywood doesn't make 'em like this anymore, take note.