"The purest and truest spiritual life begins with accepting everything that comes to you as a gift and teaching," Bradford Keeney has written. "The most difficult times sometimes bring the most important teachings." Trouble is, to be receptive and open means surrendering control and the illusion of our superior understanding. Instinct explores these expansive themes in a screenplay by Gerald Di Pego, suggested by Daniel Quinn's bestselling novel Ishmael.

After murdering two men and injuring several others in the jungle, Dr. Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins), an anthropologist and primatologist, is brought back from Rwanda, Africa, to stand trial in the United States. When therapist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) hears about the case, he convinces his boss (Donald Sutherland) to let him conduct the doctor's psychiatric evaluation. Arriving at Harmony Bay Correctional Facility in Florida, this ambitious young man is convinced that he can break through Powell's silence and discover the truth about his two-year sojourn in the company of mountain gorillas and his sudden outburst of murderous rage. Quite a challenge since not even Powell's daughter (Maura Tierney) has gotten through to him.

Dr. Caulder's investigation is hindered by a non-cooperative warden (John Aylward), a hack prison psychiatrist (George Dzundza), and a brutal guard (John Ashton) who enjoys toying with psychotic prisoners. Eventually, Dr. Powell talks about his enchanted experience of living with a family group of gorillas. They taught him about harmony and peace, the kind that comes far from the domineering madness of human beings.

The ambitious and eager-to-please Caulder drops his objectivity and submits himself to the ape-man's (as Powell is called) teachings about "living outside the game." In the end, both men exchange meanings and are the better for their journey together. John Turteltaub (Phenomenon) directs this psychologically rich drama that boasts strong performances by the two lead characters.