Paul Dano takes on his newest role, director, with cowriter Zoe Kazan on 'Wildlife'

PARK CITY, Utah - One of the premier shape-shifters of his generation of actors, able to convincingly play an uncanny variety of characters, Paul Dano would seem to have slipped easily into yet another role: that of accomplished director.

Co-scripted by Dano's writing and romantic partner - actor Zoe Kazan (of "The Big Sick") - "Wildlife" is debuting Saturday at Sundance in the festival's dramatic competition. But though it's an impeccably made, beautifully restrained emotional drama, almost nothing about it came easily or worked out the way Dano expected.

"As a first-time filmmaker, I definitely didn't anticipate how much determination - really committing yourself - it takes