PREDATORS
Animal Kingdom
****
Review by Mary Gent
Australia arguably has produced and delivered some powerful actors and films. Unfortunately, the rest of the world isn’t always privy to it’s talents. This behemoth country colonized by criminals of every level has developed a seductive mystique to it’s vast landscape. The curious beauty and solitude of the outback to the gold coast, the eccentric animals to the salt of the earth occupants. The elusiveness has captured my heart and imagination. There is a definite morbid fear of this strange continent and rightfully so. Tales, legends and mythology have lent themselves well to Australia’s allure. Tales such as the one “Animal Kingdom” is “based” on.
We are all familiar with family crime dramas. Scorsese made it almost commonplace. So for all intents and purposes, this film is about just that with Melbourne as the backdrop instead of, let’s say, New York City or Las Vegas. Except our family has a matriarch behind it’s evil ways. Jacki Weaver, pulled out of acting seclusion, gives one of the most bone-chilling performances I’ve ever seen. The sugary-sweet “mum” who dotes over her thuggish brood with Oedipal-like behavior and a Cheshire Cat grin spewing venemous sentences punctuated with “sweetie” and “baby.” There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this lioness.
Her boys, the Cody boys, are common criminals, with her oldest, Andrew “Pope” Cody, as their reclusive leader. Hiding out from law enforcement, Pope’s history of armed robbery is the stuff of legend. The other two charmers are Craig Cody, who’s made quite a living dealing drugs as well as ingesting his own product enough to fuel his violent nature, and Darren, a weaker, watered-down version of his brothers. A tight knit group of infidels, Pope’s best friend Barry Brown is treated like family. Barry, tired of the business, is at a crossroads at the film’s start. At the heart of this snarling pack is their recently orphaned nephew Joshua “J”, son to the only daughter of the Cody clan, a teenager rendered mute by the chaos that surrounds him. Needless to say, J’s penchant for a life of crime does not run naturally in his blood, leading to future events that put him in a precarious position.
Now, I could go on and on about the plot, but it speaks for itself. What I will say is this film pushes all sorts of envelopes and takes all sorts of risks which make it that much more interesting. I left the theater feeling like something ugly and permanent had snuck into my soul. Yes, it’s dark and gritty. Yes, it’s violent and disturbing, but in ways that are almost inexplicable. There is a very creepy, insidious tone that snakes itself around the audience for two hours. I felt that pit in my stomach the entire time……just waiting for something redeeming to happen. The performances are ununparalleled – great Australian actors who’s careers may get a chance to cross hemispheres after this film. Sullivan Stapleton, who plays the drug fueled Craig, is like a younger, more visceral version of Russell Crowe. James Frecheville, first time actor, lends his beautiful talent to the silent J, who barely speaks or manifests emotion, but when he does, it’s acting at it’s finest. Of course, the amazing Guy Pearce. When he chooses the right roles, there is nobody else like him. It is wonderful to see him work in his homeland, comfy in his own dialect. As Detective Leckie, he is effortless and mesmerizing.
Then there is Ben Mendelsohn as Pope. This is the type of role that actors secretly hope they will land but aren’t quiet sure they want to take. Not ONCE do you ever feel comfortable around him. You keep waiting for horrifying things to happen when he is on screen. This is a deep, dark, sociopathic predator who’s quiet brooding doesn’t hide the monster inside. Quite simply, this is the performance of a lifetime. After seeing the film, I read a great article about him. I needed to make sure he was just “acting.” I also read a little piece on David Michod, writer and director. Apparently, this script was eight years in the making. Perfection takes time. Sometimes years. Long lingering shots increasing discomfort, beautiful use of slow motion and an interesting soundtrack. Let’s just say that Air Supply’s “All of Out of Love” will never be the same.
After “Inception”, I was feeling let down by cinema. What could be better than Nolan’s masterpiece? Thankfully, I was lucky enough to see this film, restoring my faith for a second. As we all know in cinephile land, “Animal Kingdom” is one of those rare, important films that will have limited viewing capacity, and that is shameful. A week has gone by since I saw it and I STILL feel it writhing around in my bones. It has awards waiting at it’s doorstep. Let’s hope it gets the recognition it so righteously deserves. BRAVO.
Directed by: David Michod
Release Date: August 13, 2010
Run Time: 112 Minutes
Country: Australia
Rated: R
Distributor: Porchlight Films
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