X
  • 2012
  • R
  • The Cinema Guild
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2012
  • R
  • The Cinema Guild
  • 1 h 30 m

Summary Linda White, a devoted Christian housewife, leads a sheltered existence in suburban Texas. Her world is turned upside-down when she discovers that her dying husband, Abe, has a 23-year old illegitimate son named Raymond living in Florida. Somewhere on the edge of guilt and loneliness, Linda grants Abe's final wish and sets off on a quixo...

Directed By: Robbie Pickering

Written By: Robbie Pickering

  • 2012
  • R
  • The Cinema Guild
  • 1 h 30 m
  • 2012
  • R
  • The Cinema Guild
  • 1 h 30 m

Natural Selection

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
57
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Linda White, a devoted Christian housewife, leads a sheltered existence in suburban Texas. Her world is turned upside-down when she discovers that her dying husband, Abe, has a 23-year old illegitimate son named Raymond living in Florida. Somewhere on the edge of guilt and loneliness, Linda grants Abe's final wish and sets off on a quixo...

Directed By: Robbie Pickering

Written By: Robbie Pickering

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
57
43% Positive
6 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 14 Critic Reviews
57
43% Positive
6 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
88
Jun 20, 2012
Linda is a truly good woman, and Rachael Harris' performance illuminates Natural Selection.
By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW
75
Mar 15, 2012
Best known as Ed Helms' nagging fiancée in "The Hangover," Harris is just perfect without ever looking down on Linda's faith in God and herself. Her performance earns a special kind of glory.
By Peter Travers FULL REVIEW
70
May 17, 2012
An intriguing and intelligent first effort from indie filmmaker Robbie Pickering, digs deep into the heart of Texas for its soulful tale of small town saints and sinners and a road trip to redemption.
By Betsy Sharkey FULL REVIEW
60
Mar 12, 2012
This filmed-in-Texas road movie finds a smooth groove between self-conscious quirkiness and broadly played farce.
By Joe Leydon FULL REVIEW
50
Jun 21, 2012
However gritty this indie comedy may look (cinematographer Steve Calitri seems to be aping William Eggleston's photographs of the American south), it isn't all that different from an Adam Sandler vehicle: writer-director Robbie Pickering spends much of the movie mocking his characters' stupidity, then pulls an about-face with a sentimental conclusion that feels unearned.
FULL REVIEW
50
Mar 12, 2012
As cartoonish as much of this is, Pickering's story is refreshing in its refusal to paint all Christians with the same brush,
FULL REVIEW
25
Jul 5, 2012
The movie has elements of road picture, social satire, and odd-couple romance, but mostly it's about lack of pacing and tone. Somewhere very (very) deep in here is a whiff of "Citizen Ruth," and who knows what Alexander Payne might have done with this material. Instead we know what writer-director Robbie Pickering has done with it, and that ain't much.
By Mark Feeney FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.3
43% Positive
3 Ratings
29% Mixed
2 Ratings
29% Negative
2 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings
6.3
43% Positive
3 Ratings
29% Mixed
2 Ratings
29% Negative
2 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company Best Medicine Productions
Release Date Mar 16, 2012
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Linda White Has Found Her Son. God Help Her.
Website http://naturalselectionthemovie.blogspot.com/
View All Details

Awards

SXSW Film Festival
• 7 Wins & 7 Nominations
Indianapolis International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 2 Nominations

Related Movies

Lawrence of Arabia (re-release)

100
Universal Acclaim

Pinocchio

99
Universal Acclaim

The Wild Bunch

98
Universal Acclaim

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

98
Universal Acclaim

North by Northwest

98
Universal Acclaim

Dumbo

96
Universal Acclaim

Spirited Away

96
Universal Acclaim

Toy Story

96
Universal Acclaim

Ratatouille

96
Universal Acclaim

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

96
Universal Acclaim

WALL-E

95
Universal Acclaim

The Searchers

94
Universal Acclaim

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

94
Universal Acclaim

Inside Out

94
Universal Acclaim

Faces Places

94
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

94
Universal Acclaim

Stagecoach

93
Universal Acclaim

The Wizard of Oz

92
Universal Acclaim

King Kong

92
Universal Acclaim

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

92
Universal Acclaim

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

92
Universal Acclaim

Toy Story 3

92
Universal Acclaim

Related News

2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Every Zack Snyder Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

With the arrival of Zack Snyder's latest Rebel Moon chapter on Netflix, we rank every one of the director's films—from bad to, well, less bad—by Metascore.

  • movie
Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie