RARE OBJECTS -- Straight to Holme(s) Video

Review by Adam Donato

Katie Holmes as “Diana Van der Laar ” in Katie Holmes’ RARE OBJECTS. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

While Katie Holmes is certainly not the movie star she used to be, her directing career seems to be her central focus. Her acting is still alive and well, nonetheless, as she usually stars in her directorial features such as Alone Together and All We Had. Her latest effort — Rare Objects — is an adaptation of a novel by Kathleen Tessaro. The story follows a young woman who moves back in with her mother as she attempts to rebuild her life. On this journey, she makes friends with Katie Holmes’s character who is also fighting her own battles. Is this flick good enough to convince IFC to give this feature a theatrical run?

Julia Mayorga leads this movie as Benita. Her character is put through the wringer, but still finds a way to keep moving forward. Her performance certainly holds up the film, along with a supporting role from Alan Cummings. The two share what is probably the best scene in the movie, where Cummings really gets to shine. Somehow Katie Holmes is the worst actress in her own movie. Her portrayal was reminiscent of the meme where the woman has a bag on her head with the caption “omg she’s so random lol.” This may be intentional as her character is a recovering drug addict, but it came across as annoying more often than not. Derek Luke also appears in a brief and insignificant role.

Julia Mayorga as “Benita Parla”, David Alexander Flinn as “James van der Laar” in Katie Holmes’ RARE OBJECTS. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films Release.

This is a movie for adults, which is clear from the uber-uncomfortable rape scene at the beginning of the movie, so it’s frustrating when the characters continuously come right out and state the theme of the movie. Sometimes things are more beautiful after they’re broken and it’s about the growth on the journey that makes the destination so sweet. This is a standard theme in movies like this and has a hard time having any real impact when it’s telegraphed as such. There’s nothing new or above average going on here. At just over two hours, the runtime really weighs on the viewing experience. Maybe the source material was equally as standard, but there’s nothing to go out of your way for with this movie. 

Rare Objects is anything but rare. The movie gets its point across with as little subtlety as possible and Holmes’s performance follows suit. Maybe with Holmes’s name all over it, this flick will catch the eye of her fans. If this review is too harsh on Holmes, just remember she’s one of the stars of Jack and Jill. Skip this one. 

Rare Objects is now in theaters and on VOD.

Rating: 2/5