HUMAN NATURE
France/US, 2001, 96 minutes, Colour.
Patricia Arquette, Rhys Ifans, Tim Robbins, Sy Richardson, Hilary Duff, Peter Dinklage, Mary Kay Place, Miranda Otto.
Directed by Michel Gondry.
Human Nature is an unusual comedy. Somebody described it as a philosophical burlesque, an insightful comedy about human nature, human behaviour, meanings in life.
This is understandable because the screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman, the author of such offbeat comedies as being John Malkovich and Adaptation. Then it was directed by by Michel Gondry, director of a number of music videos who moved into feature film-making with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (written by Kaufman), The Science of Sleep and Be Kind Rewind.
Tim Robbins is the ordinary character in this comedy. He is a research scientist. Patricia Arquette is unusual insofar as she was born covered in hair, lived in the jungle writing books about nature, decided to shave her hair and try to rejoin the human race, especially in terms of sexuality and love. Together with the researcher, they find a man who has lived in the jungle thinking that he was a monkey (Rhys Ifans).
The film combines dialogue about research, biology, anthropology as well as featuring the eccentricities of human relationships. Miranda Otto, in love with the research scientist, complicates the interactions.
The film was an early film for Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent, Death at a Funeral) and the first film for Hilary Duff. She plays the younger Patricia Arquette character.
The film did not appeal to the audience mainstream – but, for those who like eccentric comedies with some thought, Human Nature is certainly very interesting.
1.A blend of the serious, the comic, the satiric, the philosophical, anthropological? How well did they combine?
2.The title, humans and their humanity, the animal component, intelligence, intuition? Human institutions, culture, rules? Issues of human freedom, liberty and libertarianism?
3.The style of the film, the witty dialogue by Charlie Kaufman, the music video background of Michel Gondry?
4.The structure: death, confessions, witnesses, the court? Progressive stories, angles? The cumulative effect?
5.The laboratory, the rats, the other animals, their behaviour, being observed?
6.Lila’s story: bored, the confession, as a young girl, her mother, the hair, ridiculed as a freak? Going into the forest, her writing and publishing? The hairdresser’s? Issues of sexuality? The depilation process? Louise? The introduction to the ordinary world? The wild child?
7.Nathan, dead, no guilt? A boy and manners? Going to his room, the zoo, parents, his mother? The visits of Lila and Gabrielle? The psychologist, excuses, dreams?
8.Puff, elegant? Father, wild, sharing, growing up, thinking he was a monkey, captured, the cage, recorded on video, reactions, shock treatment, the lessons on manners? Sexuality? Learning, reading, emerging as a cultured gentleman?
9.Gabrielle, French, flirtatious, seductive, her effect on Nathan, Lila at home? Drinking, pretending?
10.Lila’s ideas, for Nathan, the shaving, Nathan and his reaction, Gabrielle’s comments? Puff’s name? Out and about, the city, restaurant, sexuality, shock? Left to herself, the pocket money?
11.The confrontation with Nathan, the lies, packing, the forest, freedom, being with Puff?
12.The gun, the shooting? The Senate, jail? The applause? Her mother, television? Gabrielle, corrupt as the rest?
13.How well did the characters and themes come together, the various genres, movie references, exaggerated comic touches? A satisfying and provocative comedy?
