Origin of the Species

Origin of the species is a wonderful, funny relationship movie. It is one of Amanda Peet's first film. If you are a fan, this is a must see. The dialogue (an early work for author Robert Ackerman) is witty, compelling, and original. Snuggle up with your sweetie, grab some popcorn, and enjoy!!! I particularly enjoyed the Darwinian themes that are interwoven with the development of the relationship themes. The movie is well cast. The actors clearly develop a camaraderie and personal chemistry that enhances the plot.The setting is absolutely beautiful. This movie is a feast for the senses as well as the mind. I absolutely loved this movie. It is one of my all-time favorites.

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!

Origin is about six very real people in their late twenties who are spinning their wheels and not really getting anywhere in their lives. I felt like I knew them --like they all could have been friends. This is a film for anyone who has ever felt too young--or too old--or both. And I would wholeheartedly recommend it. It also really makes you feel the joy of summertime--and of downtime--and since it's the middle of a year at college in my real life, I appreciated that too. Origin is the kind of film that leaves you thinking about who your friends are, and how they became your friends, and whether you'll be able to--and want to--stay close forever.

Filmed in and around a Westchester County summer house, this is the annual re-union of 6 friends in their late 20's. Based on screenwriter Weston Ackerman's own play, the film adaptation directed by Andres Heinz pads out the dialogue with those generic toneless dirges on the soundtrack, credited to Joel Goodman, that pass for contemporary "reflective" pop music. Maybe on stage this unpunctuated talk had some acumulative sense, but here it only demonstrates how selfish and shallow these people are. Being 20somethings, we get de rigueur drug and alcohol abuse, swearing, sex, skinny dipping, secret crushes and jealousies. The title is explained by the idea that the secret of Darwin's theory of evolution is sex, since survival of the fittest requires reproduction. It's easy to see how this relates to one person being pregnant but no easy to another who has testicular cancer. Heinz adds some sex fantasies, a gothic baby nightmare, and one intercut between an infidelity and the deceived partner cooking. Ackerman only produces one laugh line in "That was the beer talking". None of the 6 leads display any great charisma or acting, though I was grateful we were spared the site of Jonathan LaPlagia's over-gymed body.

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.