Review of Human Nature (2001) by Austin D — 29 Feb 2008

Gondry's debut feature film isn't bad, but it's no Eternal Sunshine, which is expected. Considering this is his first feature film, the studio executives probably had him pretty tied down in what he could and couldnâ??t do. This only feels like a film made by someone trying to imitate Gondry's unique innovative style. The strange thing is, this is a Charlie Kaufman script, one of the best working screenwriters in the business, and the script was on the weakest things about it. The premise behind it was really interesting and made for a good story, but the characters just seemed way too contrived and emotionally detached. But yeah, Kaufman is an amazing writer and I guess itâ??s expected that he would churn out some flops every once in a while.

What's so interesting about Human Nature is that there are so many of the elements Gondry would perfect in his next films. He uses this as a launch pad in getting started in feature films. After this (and a few side projects-short films, etc.) he made the masterpiece Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Best scene in human nature has to be when Rhys Ifans is being tested to stay away from the woman on the projection screen...sooo funny...I laughed out loud.