USAGorillaz

Actually, my review below makes more sense if the original pseudo word "heaviosity" isn't spell-checked and turned into "heavyset" :). It's a word that Woody Allen coined in one of his movies (I forget which) to denote excessive gravity and self-importance. What I intended to emphasize is that "Origin of the Species" isn't a somber movie by any means, even though it does contain some serious themes. It's summery, easy to watch, even fun--and the beautiful cinematography is like a love letter to suburban New York state. The movie manages to convey character conflict and growth without turning the whole process into a slog. This is a harder feat than it may look. Highly recommended!

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.