In Our Nature

Does a bear shit in the woods?

We’ve all heard that oft-used expression. It’s generally used in a derisive manner when someone has asked an unnecessary question. You know, the answer is so obvious – that not only is an answer not needed, but the question shouldn’t have been asked in the first place. Keep that thought in mind when you take in a film called In Our Nature, an indie film written and directed by Brian Savelson, that I caught at the 2012 Sarasota Film Festival Day 8.

We will start with a pair of 20 somethings: Seth (Zach Gilford) and Andi (Jena Malone) who have decided to head out of New York for a glorious weekend up in the country. Seth’s family has owned a home in the Catskills for years. Seth actually spent childhood summers there.

Andi expected a ‘cabin’ and she’s mildly surprised that the cabin is a fully furnished home with all the modern conveniences set on a pond surrounded by nature’s bounty and not another home or dwelling in sight. A weekend getaway home in the best possible sense. Seth and Andi are so happy to have the place to themselves that moments after unpacking the car they start a passionate round of vacation sex.

Only moments later, they hear a car approaching. People don’t find this place unless they intended to. So who could it be?

Seth gets up and peeks out the window – My God! It’s my father. Get dressed!!!!

Yup, Seth’s Dad is Gil (played by Mad Men’s John Slattery) and he’s got his girlfriend in tow. They too took the opportunity to go for a weekend in the country. Gil has never heard word one about Andi as Seth and Gil have kept their distances over the years.

For that matter, Seth knew nothing about Gil’s friend Vickie ( portrayed by Gabrielle Union) either. It is a rather lengthy driveway and a long walk up to the house so Andi and Seth manage to get their clothes on.

Click link for trailer —-> In Our Nature

Talk about awkward. Father and son can barely be civil to each other. The women stand around looking helpless. That’s how the film begins and that’s not a spoiler as that much is in the trailer.

For the next 90 minutes these four will try to work through their issues. Oh yeah, they all have issues, or maybe you prefer the terms emotional baggage that trails behind them. Even if we can’t settle on putting a name on what we see, it is all so distinctly recognizable and we all know immediately what is in store for us.

But chiefly, in this situation it is the father and son who have had a long and lengthy tormented relationship. Which in the main has been allowed to fall into what you’d probably call distance, or even estrangement.

2012 Sarasota Film Festival

The 2012 Sarasota Film Festival opens tonight and I’m going. This is the 14th year of the festival and the there will be everything from Feature Films to Documentaries, Shorts, and even some kid-friendly film opportunities. The total of events and screenings will be more than 260.

While most of the festival content will be screened at the Regal Hollywood Stadium 20 (despite the high-falutin’ name – it’s really just a huge movie cineplex) on Main Street in downtown Sarasota, tonight’s Festival Opener will be screened at the beautiful, state-of-the-art, bay-front facility – The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

This post is just the lead story from me so you can get a glimpse of what films I’ll be covering.

The Opening Night Feature will be Robot & Frank. [Quoting from the festival's own film guide -->] Set in the near future, ROBOT & FRANK is the story of Frank (Frank Langella), a retired thief living alone and resigned to longing for the local librarian (Susan Sarandon). Concerned about his father’s health, Frank’s son brings him a new caretaker; a state of the art robot with a perfect memory and an inexhaustible desire to make Frank’s life better. Initially reluctant to accept help, Frank soon recognizes the benefits of his robot, treating his electronic helper like a true friend. So, when Frank decides to get back in business, who else to turn to but his newfound companion?ROBOT & FRANK is a Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions release. Director Jake Schrier and star Frank Langella will be in attendance. A small clip from the film is below

http://bcove.me/ymidjfi7

On Sunday, April 15th, I will take in the French Film, The Big Picture. [Again, quoting from the festival's own film guide] Paul Exben (Romain Duris, THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED) is a successful lawyer who has it all; a beautiful wife and family, handsome good looks and an enviable position at one of Paris’ top law firms. But when Paul uncovers his wife’s secret transgressions, it sets into motion a series of tragic events that will change their lives forever. Driven by Duris’ haunted performance as Paul, Eric Lartigau’s THE BIG PICTURE is a taut thriller of life on the run from the law, changes of identity and paying the consequences for a fatal mistake.