Writer/director Brian Savelson makes his feature film debut with In Our Nature, a drama that explores the tension-filled relationship between a father and his grown, estranged son. Zach Gilford, best known as Matt Saracen from the Emmy-winning series Friday Night Lights stars opposite Sucker Punch's Jena Malone as a young couple who head to his family's cabin for a romantic weekend getaway. However, their plans for carefree sex are squashed when the young man's father (John Slattery of Mad Men) shows up with his hot new girlfriend (Gabrielle Union of Tyler Perry's Good Deeds). As he's still enraged over the end of his parents' marriage, the son finds himself drawn into a tension-filled trip that begs for confrontations and catharsis. By the conclusion of the weekend, each member of this dysfunctional foursome will have to face some sobering realizations about themselves and their romantic relationships.
In Our Nature will make its world premiere at SXSW on Saturday, but you can get a peek at the drama in the trailer below, via Indiewire:
IN OUR NATURE TRAILER from in our nature on Vimeo.
The premise is promising, but what really makes In Our Nature stand out is its cast. Savelson piques interest by giving performers who are often relegated to supporting roles a chance to step up to the spotlight. Gilford, who was always subtle but effective on Friday Night Lights, gets his shot at being a respectable leading man, and he couldn't ask for a better scene partner than the ever-cool Slattery. While Malone and Union are a bit sidelined—getting the ubiquitous girlfriend roles—they at least have the opportunity to escape the painfully dismal movies that have been a waste of their talent and charisma. Simply put, the elements shown here have me hopeful that In Our Nature will allow its cast their turn to shine.
