94) Animal KingdomDirector: David MichodYear: 2010Plot Summary: Tells the story of seventeen year-old Josh as he navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.
A work of flawed brilliance, Animal Kingdom is one of this year's highlights thus far.Unlike most Hollywood crime dramas, Animal Kingdom is subtle, naturalistic and intimate rather than epic. There's few plot twists or major narrative developments to be found here. Instead, we see the slow escalation of tensions between a family of criminals and the police trying to apprehend them from the eyes of Josh, a young boy who has moved in with them after the death of his mother.
This slow-burning style, much like many other Australian films such as The Proposition, makes it a nail-bittingly suspenseful piece of cinema. A surprising achievement for a movie with, frankly, so little going on. Aside from Michod's style though, this tension is created through a cast of well written characters. Regardless of what side of the law they are on, everyone in Animal Kingdom is fleshed out so much that you care for them and what their fate may be. You want Leckie, an upstanding family man, to succeed in bringing down these criminals. Yet, at the same time, you sympathise with the paranoia and fear that Craig suffers and you pray for the doubtful Barry to somehow escape this life of crime.
The lack of Hollywood morality also gives a refreshingly cynical edge to Animal Kingdom. While the criminals engage in illegal activity and have committed murder, the police are equally as ruthless and amoral. There are no good guys or bad guys here; just two different opposing forces who we witness struggle to take the other down. This, however, isn't the only aspect of this Australian crime drama that feels like a breathe of fresh air. As the narrative reaches its final act, it takes a few unexpected and often never-before-seen turns that make escalate it into a truly original work of cinema.
Moreover, all of the above is grounded by a some spellbinding performances. Guy Pearce, as always, does a terrific job. As does Ben Mendelsohn who is nearly impossible to take your eyes off whenever he's on screen with a creepy, seductive stillness that never feels unfamiliar. However, the best performance comes from Jacki Weaver who, in Animal Kingdom's final 30 minutes, sheds her motherly skin and becomes one of the most chilling villains you'll see all year.
It's not a work of perfection though. Animal Kingdom suffers a few problems with its pace towards the end and the voice over, introducing the audience to the world of these criminals and the main characters, only appears at the start and feels unnecessary and distracting. However, these are only minor gripes in an otherwise terrific and engrossing crime drama that is a must-see.
Oh, and after watching the film, I think Animal Kingdom is one of the best titled films in year too. That's always worth a note!
4/5
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