Firstly let me tell you a little bit about the film maker, David Michod. Michod is part of Blue Tongue Films which is a company based in Australia that is really putting out some top notch Australian work both as features and short films. Also apart of Blue Tongue are the Edgerton Brothers who brought as The Square and Luke Doolan who also edits Animal Kingdom and was recently nominated for an academy award in the short film section. Michod was responsible for two short films Crossbow and Spider that played well at festivals globally and has also co-written the American independent film Hesher that stars Joseph Gordon Levitt and also played at Sundance.
Animal Kingdom is one of those rare films that had me constantly surprised and jolted me from my seat on more than three occasions. The film is about and delves deeply inside a crime family that live in melbourne, so comparisons to other crime films, gangster films and thriller's will abound but to me this film reminded me more of Paul Thomas Anderson's sublime first film Sydney(Hard Eight). Where most recent crime films and television have fallen down (especially in Australia) is that they forget about the heart and life that these people would be lead. Well Animal Kingdom has this in spades, each character is so well wrought, so full of life that it makes it hard for you to look away and this has everything to do with Michod's deft touch at characterisation in his script of even the smallest characters.
Michod is also aided by an outstanding performances by everyone involved. Just on paper this is such a strong cast. You've got Guy Pearce as Leckie, a strong police officer that believes in the law. Joel Edgerton as one of the cody brothers and lending some great comic relief. Jackie Weaver, the matriach of the family and all too oedipal that it had a couple in front of me squiriming in their seats. And Ben Mendelsohn the glue that binds and shatters them. With that on display you would be forgiven if the other characters weren't as well formed but here you are given treats by everyone. Luke Ford so over come by Mendelsohn's Pope that he doesn't know what to do with himself is outstanding. Sullivan Stapleton nails the frenetic energy of Craig masterfully well. Mirrah Foulkes as Edgerton wife lets you in on the pressures outsiders of the family are under. Dan Wylie's slippery lawyer is all too real. And James Frecheville in his first screen role is a revelation. The film I think however belongs to Mendelsohn. His character of Pope is electrifying, you never quite know what is going on with him and this makes him that much scarier.
To say too much about the story is too give away the twist and turns of this film that had me wondering the whole time where too next. And I mean that in a good way. I think they should apply the 'Psycho' rule to this film and not allow people into the film after twenty minutes.
Now your probably thinking come on give me the negatives but I really can't think of one. Oh wait yes I can. I have to wait another three weeks before I can watch this film again because I will watch it again and I hope to see you there.
Michod has given us one of the best Australian films since, I think, Chopper and I can't wait to see what he does next. And anyone who thought Underbelly the TV show nailed Australian crime are sorely mistaken. Animal Kingdom is what it's about, sure there aren't any tits on display, but instead you get a film, a drama that doesn't pander for the easy answer.
Mark June 3rd in your diary and do yourself a favour and go see this film, your time will not be wasted.
Thank you David Michod and too all those involved with this film.
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