Origin of the Species

This is a coming-of-age story for recent generations (baby boomers forward), for whom a substantial amount of maturing often takes place post-college. While dealing with various personal decisions, six friends try to figure out exactly how one grows up without growing old. The setting, a house in the verdant and upscale NYC suburbs, is made to look positively Edenic--surely, a conscious choice on the part of the filmmakers, though not one that beats us over the head.

Lest "Origin of the Species" sound fraught with heavyset (to borrow from Woody Allen), all this is presented with a remarkably light touch, a cast of engaging characters, and plenty of humor. Since making the film, several of the actors have gone on to greater success, and their performances here show why.

I beg to differ on the 'praises' that were given towards this movie. Right away "Paul" got on my nerves with his constant talk about Darwin and evolution of species (while Yes I do realize that was to be mentioned give the title but it was taken to the extreme) While there were some notable scenes I feel that this movie was too 'all over' Talk of Banoboes left me saying "Huh" I found myself left with many unanswered questions at the end of the movie, and rather annoyed that certain issues weren't addressed that were made out to be a significant part of the plot. I would not recommend this film. If you want to see Amanda Peet 'shine' stick with A Lot Like Love...now there's a movie to be seen!

like many people, i'm a huge Amanda Peet fan so i ordered this DVD from Amazon...what a great little film!

it's a fresh, funny movie about young people getting together for a long weekend full of relationships, romance and skinny dipping...if you liked your parent's VHS copy of The Big Chill, you'll love it!

Amanda Peet is great...as is Elon Gold, who is in the new Pamela Anderson sitcom "Stacked" and the girl from "Yes, Dear" is her usual adorable self

this movie is such a refreshing find, i can't believe more video stores aren't stocking it...but maybe it's just my local Blockbuster that's behind the times

anyway, if you like comedy, great writing, great acting and the bushy-browed beauty known as Amanda Peet, you will love "Origin of the Species"

I saw this a few years ago and it has STAYED with me. Not only is the cinematography excellent, but Amanda Peet shines. So does the entire ensemble. You watch this movie, rapt, riveted, and laughing about bonobos' sex lives, and then suddenly you feel sobered and you're soul searching and wondering whether you, like these characters, can truly account for each passing birthday. It's really a movie about growing up, like it or not, and how hard that can be. That's one reason why I loved the scene, at the beginning, of children jumping into a beautiful lake. At the end it's the adults who plunge in. And I think the filmmakers are trying to say that we all have a childlike spirit within us that keeps us young but also sometimes keeps us from growing up. I totally recommend this film.

I saw this a few years ago and it has STAYED with me. Not only is the cinematography excellent, but Amanda Peet shines. So does the entire ensemble. You watch this movie, rapt, riveted, and laughing about bonobos' sex lives, and then suddenly you feel sobered and you're soul searching and wondering whether you, like these characters, can truly account for each passing birthday. It's really a movie about growing up, like it or not, and how hard that can be. That's one reason why I loved the scene, at the beginning, of children jumping into a beautiful lake.

At the end it's the adults who plunge in. I think the filmmakers are trying to say that we all have a childlike spirit within us that keeps us young but also sometimes keeps us from growing up.

I totally recommend