Natural Selection

Plot

When a dutiful, albeit barren Christian housewife discovers that her devout husband has suffered a stroke…

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 6.9/10 (168 voted)

Director:
Robbie Pickering

Stars: Rachael Harris, Jon Gries, Matt O'Leary

Storyline
When a dutiful, albeit barren Christian housewife discovers that her devout husband has suffered a stroke at a sperm bank where he's been secretly donating his seed for the past 25 years, she leaves her sheltered world and starts off on a journey to find his eldest biological son – a mullet-headed, foul-mouthed ex-con with whom she develops an odd but meaningful relationship.

Cast:

Rachael Harris
–

Linda

Jon Gries
–

Peter

Matt O'Leary
–

Raymond

John Diehl
–

Abe

Vanessa Vander Pluym
–

Bitchy Waitress

Billy Blair
–

Biker

Berna Roberts
–

Nun

Michael Hyland
–

Handsome Doctor

Hallie Martin
–

White Trash Fox

Melinda DeKay
–

Stern Nurse

Stephanie King
–

Shaunice

Gayland Williams
–

Sheila

Sam Eidson
–

Homeless Guy 1

Greg Grosh
–

Sperm Clinic Doctor

Mark Winslett
–

Bus Employee

Taglines:
Linda White Has Found Her Son. God Help Her.

Details

Official Website:
Official Blog |
Official Facebook |

Release Date: 3 Jan 2011

Filming Locations: Austin, Texas, USA

User Review

An Interesting Film on Religion and Relationships

Rating: 8/10


Robbie Pickering had its World Premiere at SXSW where it was
well-received and earned several awards. It is sort of an odd film
about the struggles of damaged people. Natural Selection could be
described as partially a critique of fundamentalist religion, part road
trip film, and part human tragedy. It is the story of Linda who is
trapped in a loveless marriage. She goes on a trip looking for one
thing and discovers parts of herself that she didn't know existed. The
script is well-written and the film is well-acted – especially
considering this is the writer/director's first feature film. The film
avoids easy answers or simple judgments to complex questions. The
character development for the two main characters is nuanced and
provocative. In the end, the audience may be left with more questions
than answers. The film seeks intended as a critique of dogmatism, but
offers the viewer little in the way of alternative answers to hang on
to.