Human Nature Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hairy lady, a scientist with OCD, and a Tarzan wannabe walk into a forest… then things get weird, like, REALLY weird.

🍿 Human Nature: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Lila and Nathan

The film introduces Lila Jute, a woman with excessive body hair who feels like an outcast. She retreats to the wilderness, becoming a successful nature writer. Simultaneously, we meet Dr. Nathan Bronfman, an etiquette-obsessed scientist, who dedicates his time to teaching table manners to mice.

The Discovery of Puff

While on a nature walk, Lila and Nathan discover a man living in the wild named Puff. He was raised by his father, who believed he was an ape. Nathan sees Puff as the perfect subject for his research, aiming to civilize him by teaching him manners and social norms.

A Love Triangle Emerges

As Nathan focuses on ‘civilizing’ Puff, Lila feels a growing attraction to Puff’s wild, untamed nature. This creates a love triangle, with Nathan’s prim and proper world clashing with Lila’s acceptance of natural instincts and Puff’s struggle to adapt to human society. Meanwhile, Nathan’s French lab assistant, Gabrielle, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. Nathan Bronfman (Tim Robbins): An obsessive scientist, fixated on etiquette, who tries to civilize a man raised in the wild.
• Lila Jute (Patricia Arquette): A female naturalist with excessive body hair who struggles with societal expectations and her own desires.
• Puff (Rhys Ifans): A man raised in the wild who is caught between his primal instincts and the pressures of civilization.
• Gabrielle (Miranda Otto): Nathan’s manipulative lab assistant who is interested in Nathan.
• Louise (Rosie Perez): Lila’s electrologist, who helps Lila with her condition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nathan Bronfman: “What is love anyway? From my new vantage point, I realize that love is nothing more than a messy conglomeration of need, desperation, fear of death and insecurity about penis size.” – Nathan reflects on his past relationships and the nature of love while in a purgatorial state after his death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12 million
• Domestic Gross: $705,308
• Worldwide Gross: $1,574,660

💥 Human Nature Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Human Nature’ is definitely not your typical movie night fare! I remember watching it for the first time and being completely baffled, but also weirdly captivated. Arquette’s hairy Lila is strangely empowering, and Rhys Ifans is hilarious as Puff. It made me question everything I thought I knew about what it means to be ‘civilized.’ The humor is definitely quirky, so if you’re up for something different, give it a shot!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Charlie Kaufman’s writing”
  • “Viewers who appreciate quirky, offbeat comedies”
  • “Those interested in philosophical explorations of human nature”
  • “Audiences who enjoy satire and dark humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Some crude humor”
  • “Themes of animalistic behavior”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Charlie Kaufman’s bizarre humor shines through in this oddball comedy. While the plot is unconventional, Patricia Arquette delivers a standout performance. A unique, thought-provoking film that may not be for everyone.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “A film that will polarize audiences. It’s either hilariously insightful or offensively strange, depending on your taste. Kaufman’s script is as imaginative as ever, but Gondry’s direction might not be accessible to all.
• Metacritic: “While ‘Human Nature’ boasts an impressive cast, it is a chaotic mess. Kaufman’s work always leaves me less than fulfilled.

Audience Reactions

Rhys Ifans’ portrayal of Puff is unforgettable.: Most viewers praise Ifans’ performance as the wild man and find it the most entertaining part of the film.

The movie raises interesting questions about society and human nature.: Many find the film thought-provoking, despite its bizarre and comedic nature.

Overall Consensus: A polarizing film that is either loved for its quirky humor and thought-provoking themes or disliked for its bizarre plot and strange characters. Definitely not for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many of the scenes in the forest are allusions to or recreations of scenes in the Björk music video “Human Behavior”, also directed by Michel Gondry.”
• “Charlie Kaufman seems to specialize in *mixed* message films.”
• “Michel Gondry makes his feature film debut here, as he is known for directing several of Bjork’s videos.”
• “The film wants to ask the question about sex and the difference between humans and animals and the environment we are all brought up in.”

🖥️ How to Watch Human Nature?

Human Nature is available to rent or buy on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as it may also appear on subscription services. Purchase options are often available in HD or SD formats.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Human Nature, you might like these similar films:

• Being John Malkovich (1999): Both films are written by Charlie Kaufman and explore surreal, unconventional narratives with dark humor and philosophical themes.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Also written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry, it shares a similar quirky, thought-provoking style and deals with the complexities of human relationships.
• Adaptation (2002): Another Charlie Kaufman script that bends reality and delves into the creative process, appealing to those who enjoy meta-narratives and unconventional storytelling.

🛒 Human Nature Related Products

• Being John Malkovich (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: Explore the mind-bending world of Charlie Kaufman’s other acclaimed film. The Collector’s Edition includes behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and special features.
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [Blu-ray]: Dive into a beautiful and heartbreaking romance directed by Michel Gondry. This Blu-ray edition features deleted scenes, commentary, and a making-of documentary.
• The Philosophy of Charlie Kaufman: A deep dive into the philosophy of the screenwritter. Covers all of Kaufman’s works.
• Björk: Greatest Hits [CD]: A must-have for fans of Michel Gondry’s visual style, as he directed many of Björk’s iconic music videos. Experience the songs that inspired his early work.

🎧 Soundtrack

Human Nature features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hair Everywhere” – performed by Patricia Arquette
• “String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131: VII. Allegro” – performed by Ludwig van Beethoven
• “Gymnopédie No. 1” – performed by Erik Satie

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Revenant – Nature and Human Nature

Ever wonder about the deeper meaning behind survival stories? This video breaks down the nature vs. human nature themes in *The Revenant* – super interesting food for thought and might make you see *Human Nature* in a new light!

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