Natural Selection (2011)

As Good As It Gets

Blistering performances.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

The two main characters made the story, even though I had a tough time understanding a woman of Linda's age having so few basic survival instincts when she first meets the, clearly dangerous, druggie son. I got a huge kick out of the 'slice of devout Christian life' (at least as far as these characters were concerned), the inherent hypocrisy they were living daily, and making good excuses to themselves and others for such inconsistency in how they stood by their beliefs. There were gaps in the storyline, that if they'd been there, the characters (especially Linda) would have been a bit less hard to understand/empathize with, but overall these gaps did not ruin the movie. The biggest problem I found with the story, and why I didn't rate it even higher, is that the story skipped from the 'dark moment' straight to the ending without US, the audience, getting to see Linda prove that she had grown and changed (by making that stand to her husband, and to her abusive sister, as well). Also: The ending shot, really, (and maybe this is because we didn't get to see her face down the person that had 'done her wrong' and prove that she finally had a spine), didn't really feel like it matched the actual character arc that the screenwriter started out wanting her to have (or wanting us to think she was going to have). The first shot we see of her (and quite a few more as the story progresses) seems to say that she is a woman who needs to empower herself sexually (and by doing so, empower herself in all other areas of her life where she has been a doormat), to overcome the event from her past that sent her into her current life, but, alas, this is not ever resolved on camera. Instead, the resolution takes place off screen, and all we see is where she goes to enjoy her new-found freedom. (Of course, since I didn't get to see her stand up for herself, I can't help but think: okay, here you are, in your current state--what are you going to do now? Are you even capable of taking care of yourself? Since I didn't get to see her take charge of her life, it leaves me wondering if she actually did, or if she'll fail and go back to her old life after her little 'vacation' from it.Would I watch this film again? Yes, probably--because I found the concept very compelling, and the two main actors played off of each other extremely well.

with many levels. and masks. because, at first sigh, it can be version of Transamerica or an usual indie. in fact, it is a touching story. about love, dreams, search of yourself and price of dreams. and its remarkable charm source is an impressive acting. exploration of character nuances, drawing of state of soul, full of adorable innocence drops. road-movie and map of transformation of two people, it is seductive discuss about life sense. so, not an ordinary movie. only a precise definition of atmosphere and wise broke of rules. a film who respires freedom. and who inspires. not moralistic but ironic. not extraordinary but interesting. not brilliant. only smart.

I was somewhat skeptical of the premise of this film (which you can read elsewhere) before I saw it. However, writer and director Robbie Pickering does a masterful job of bringing this original and surprisingly compelling story to life. His main characters are cut from starkly different backgrounds (fundamentalist Christian housewife and petty criminal/drug addict) to good comedic effect but each reveals a depth that is both genuine and touching as the story unfolds. I should also mention that the production is outstanding as well - from the pacing and the cinematography to the score. That's hardly a given for an independent film! Last but certainly not least, the acting is fantastic across the board. Rachael Harris especially shines in what I can honestly describe as an Oscar-worthy performance. I had no idea what a talent she is. I dare you to see this film and not be wildly impressed by her.

By no means am I a fan of Fundamentalist Christians, but if you're going to laugh at them, give them their due. Unfortunately, Robbie Pickering, in his new indie roadie dramedy, 'Natural Selection', chooses to take cheap pot shots at their expense. We're introduced to a devout Christian couple, Linda (Rachel Harris) and Abe (John Diehl). Linda's "sin" was to have an abortion as a teenager and then supposedly ended up barren from the botched procedure. For her sin, Abe chooses not have sexual relations with her for the rest of their marriage (now totaling 25 years). If that isn't despicable enough, Abe still wants children, and periodically goes to the local sperm bank where he can provide specimens for use by infertile couples. When Abe has a stroke while masturbating to a porn video at the clinic, Linda learns of his long-term betrayal.While Linda does have a saving grace (her good nature), her moral imperative is markedly skewed. Out of a perverse loyalty, after surreptitiously and illegally foraging through the files at the sperm bank, she comes up with one of the names of Abe's progeny, Raymond, and leaves her hometown in Texas, traveling all the way to Florida, to bring him back, so that Abe's final wish to meet the errant prodigal son, is consummated.Linda finally does locate Raymond, who turns her away at the door, as he doesn't want to hear any 'Jesus stuff'. It turns out that Raymond is a criminal who's just escaped from the State Penitentiary and has a penchant for remaining in a drug-induced stupor, all day long. While Raymond initially rejects all of Linda's entreaties, he has a sudden change of heart when the police come knocking on his door.Pickering's idea of comedy is to contrast Linda's naïve belief that she can somehow 'change' Raymond with his stubborn attachment to the stoner lifestyle. Linda goes to absurd lengths to accommodate Raymond until he steals her Hatchback, and then promptly loses it. The ditsy Christian now appears to act more like a regular human being, as she now makes it clear to Raymond that she wants nothing more to do with him. But Raymond won't give up and now pursues her with more vehemence. The years without sex has taken its toll on Linda, and she now succumbs to Raymond's advances. The new found romance is interrupted by Linda's brother-in-law, Peter, the pastor of Abe and Linda's church, who has tracked the errant couple down, and almost kills Raymond, by firing a gun at him in the couple's motel room. Peter suffers a broken nose after Linda slugs him, landing him in the hospital.'Natural Selection' ends on a happy note of sorts. Linda learns that she's not barren after all and rejects both Abe (now in a wheelchair) and Raymond, who has morphed into an unlikely lovesick puppy dog, pining away for a rekindled romance with Linda. As for the now sadder but wiser former devout Christian, she takes a trip to the beach where presumably she'll bond with nature, and contemplate her impending motherhood.'Natural Selection' might have been more successful had Pickering treated his Fundamentalist Christians with a little more good-natured ribbing than the surly group and the heavy-handed machinations, he proffers up here. And even with the good-natured Linda, she comes off as a fool for putting up with the boorish antics of Raymond and eventually capitulating to his dubious charms.The performances here are good, particularly Rachael Harris as Linda, who actually does have some bona fide comedy chops. But there's little to laugh at, including the aforementioned pot shots at fundamentalist Christians, the unhealthy relationship between Linda and Raymond, which ultimately becomes tiresome, and Raymond's love sick puppy dog act at film's end. On the plus side, watch out for the neat twist at the denouement, when we learn that Raymond is actually Clyde, and was using his roommate Raymond's name, as an alias!If 'Natural Selection' does have a redeeming point, it's the unbridled optimism of the film's protagonist, Linda, who despite her wacky demeanor, proves that there's always some kind of light at the end of the tunnel. But ultimately, her encounter with a coterie of unpleasant antagonists, relegates 'Natural Selection' to the predictable limbo of a quirky, few laughs, indie roadie dramedy.