Human Nature (2001)

A woman is in love with a man in love with another woman, and all three have designs on a young man raised as an ape.

Director:

Michel Gondry

Writer:

Charlie Kaufman

Stars:

Patricia Arquette, Rhys Ifans, Tim Robbins

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patricia Arquette	...	Lila Jute
Rhys Ifans	...	Puff
Tim Robbins	...	Dr. Nathan Bronfman
Ken Magee	...	Police Detective
Sy Richardson	...	Police Detective
David Warshofsky	...	Police Detective
Hilary Duff	...	Young Lila Jute
Stanley DeSantis	...	Doctor (as Stanley Desantis)
Peter Dinklage	...	Frank
Toby Huss	...	Puff's Father
Bobby Harwell	...	Congressman
Daryl Anderson	...	Congressman
Bobby Pyle	...	Young Puff
Chase MacKenzie Bebak	...	Young Nathan (as Chase Bebak)
Mary Kay Place	...	Nathan's Mother

Storyline

A philosophical burlesque, Human Nature follows the ups and downs of an obsessive scientist, a female naturalist, and the man they discover, born and raised in the wild. As scientist Nathan trains the wild man, Puff, in the ways of the world - starting with table manners - Nathan's lover Lila fights to preserve the man's simian past, which represents a freedom enviable to most. In the power struggle that ensues, an unusual love triangle emerges exposing the perversities of the human heart and the idiosyncrasies of the civilized mind. Human Nature is a comical examination of the trappings of desire in a world where both nature and culture are idealized.

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Plot Keywords:

nature | scientist | table manners | manners | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | 

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Taglines:

In the Interest of Civilization... Conform.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality/nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line Features [us] Official site

Country:

France USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 September 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Human Nature - Die Krone der Schöpfung

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$297,340 (USA) (12 April 2002)

Gross:

$695,876 (USA) (3 May 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fine Line Features, StudioCanal, Good Machine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The studio originally wanted Spike Jonze to direct the film because of the success of Being John Malkovich. He considered it, but opted to produce, and suggested Michel Gondry, instead.

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Goofs

When Dr. Bronfman (Tim Robbins) enters the woods with the pistol (a German Luger) there is the sound of the hammer of a revolver being cocked - but a Luger does not make a sound like that.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lila Jute: I'm *not* sorry.
Puff: I *am* sorry.
Nathan Bronfman: I don't even know what sorry means anymore.

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Connections

References The Elephant Man (1980)

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Soundtracks

"El Internado"
(1915)
Written by Francisco Canaro
Performed by The Sexteto Mayor Orchestra
Published by BMG Songs, Inc. o/b/o BMG Relay Editiones Musicales
Courtesy of Angel Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

User Reviews

Wonderful, but not everyone's cup of tea.

Finally, a definitive answer to the question, "What is human nature?" Actually, "Human Nature" is not the answer to that question, but it does address other issues, one of which is the nature of comedy. Many, if not most, people who see "Human Nature" will not care for it. I was going to say "not get it", but that is condescending. I think "Human Nature" is a hilarious comedy. It's extreme adsurdity makes it so. It combines elements of Pygmalion, Frankenstein and Tarzan into a wonderful, modern day farce. The story is about a love rectangle formed by Nathan Bronfman (Robbins), Lila Jute (Arquettte), Puff (Ifans), and Gabrielle (Otto). Nathan and Gabrielle are somewhat normal (as normal as two scientists can be), but Lila and Puff are a bit off center. She has a problem with body hair which covers her whole body, and Puff, was raised in the wild by his father, who thought he was a gorilla. The story is told through flashback by the dead Nathan, the testifying Puff, and the arrested Lila. Wonderfully done. The one question I had throughout was how Puff came to be testifying in front of congress. The answer was so pat and contrived it was funny. My advice is, go see this movie with 4 or 5 friends, and try and predict which one of you will like it. The rest will hate it.