Animal Kingdom (Australia; 113 min.)


directed by: David Michôd
starring: Ben Mendelsohn; Joel Edgerton; Guy Pearce; Luke Ford; Jacki Weaver; Sullivan Stapleton 		Animal Kingdom
 

TC says: "This Aussie crime thriller is an amazingly taut, heart-stopping ride from beginning to end. The story of a Melbourne crime family on the way down as seen from J, the 18-year-old nephew of the family whose mother kept him a long way from her family because she didn't want him to follow in their footsteps. When his mother dies of a heroin overdose, he calls his grandmother, nicknamed Smurf, and the family comes to take him in. J ends up being caught between the family, in particular his uncle Andrew, known to the family as Pope, and the local police, who aren't above committing murder to try and bring this family down.

"We went to see this based on its win at Sundance in January, the reviews and the trailer, and I have to say I am so glad we did. Ben Mendelsohn shines as Pope, the perfect model of a drug-addicted sociopath. Jacki Weaver, who I've read is best known in Australia for Sally Field-type roles, really turns on the charm as the sweet and deadly Smurf, who's not above anything to protect her boys. James Frecheville makes an impressive debut as J; his character's detachment throughout the film has been compared to someone who has Aspbergers' Syndrome, and reminded me a lot of Alex, the young skateboarder in Gus Van Sant's masterpiece PARANOID PARK.  Guy Pearce is both charming and ruthless as the police detective trying to bring the family down.

"All in all, ANIMAL KINGDOM is one of the most hard hitting, most disturbing films I've seen in a long time. It's destined to make my year-end Top 10 list for sure. I hope it makes it into the Oscar race, but I have a feeling it's a long shot, though it should benefit from a score of noms from Critic's Choice and the Spirit Awards, where I think it has a chance to clean up. My Score: 5 cats"
 

Toni says: "Excellent film, acting and interesting take on a mob family which in a odd way was like how the family treated you if you strayed in WINTER'S BONE!

"Terrible film distribution here in the states; it played one week only in Providence with poor attendance :(...

"If it is nominated for anything in either Golden Globe or Oscars next year, it may have a 2nd wind."
 
Thom says: "Wow, here's a film to crow about. Because I've watched it twice I even inserted it in my TOP 100 of the '00s. A 15-year old boy's mother dies from an heroin overdose and he goes to live with his Satanic grandmother who is the matriarch of a despicable crime family whom the local police are dying to kill or lock up. Then there's the teenager's girl friend who's dumber than a box of pins. All sorts of horrible things happen as characters die one after another. The dynamite finale adds an ironic touch to this very hot story. This is far & away the best screener I've seen this go-round. The ensemble acting is out of this world but top ratings have to go to already much-awarded Jackie Weaver as the deluded, evil mother. This has already been lauded by many main-line & Chlotrudis critics. Go fort one! 5 cats"